By Br. John Cornel Sulle OFMCap | Executive Director
Project: Birthday Tree Planting Project
Project ID: #58012
Organization: The A’ray Justice and Peace Initiative (TAJPI)
Date: October 2025
Summary
In response to environmental degradation in Tanzania, including severe erosion, diminished water sources, and increasingly dry riverbeds, TAJPI is implementing the Birthday Tree Planting Project to promote ecological restoration and environmental stewardship among youth. The project aims to engage students across primary and secondary schools in establishing school woodlots. These woodlots will support self-sufficiency in firewood supply, improve school environments, and contribute to long-term ecological conservation. The project also integrates ecological conversion education, empowering young people to adopt sustainable practices and become advocates for environmental care within their communities.
The Challenge
Tanzania remains among the world’s low-income nations, with nearly half of its population living below the poverty line. Tanzania was once home to abundant forests supporting diverse human and wildlife communities. However, over the past five decades, unsustainable farming methods, population growth, and reliance on charcoal for cooking have led to widespread deforestation. The effects are now visible in severe erosion, depleted water catchments, and rivers running dry for longer periods each year. Local communities, particularly schools, are disproportionately affected by the lack of wood fuel and declining soil and water health.
Our Approach (Solution)
TAJPI is working with schools to restore and protect ecological systems by establishing student-managed tree woodlots. The project supports the planting and nurturing of a variety of trees—some for wood fuel, some for shade, and some for fruit. Alongside this, students receive training in ecological conversion, environmental care, and climate stewardship. This approach improves school life conditions while contributing to long-term restoration of natural landscapes.
Long-Term Impact
The Birthday Tree Planting Project is designed to create sustainable, community-driven environmental impact:
Highlights This Quarter
During this reporting period, TAJPI strengthened collaboration with 20 secondary schools in Same and Mwanga Districts, Kilimanjaro Region. Together, these schools prepared for and celebrated the Season of Creation, in recognition of the 10th Anniversary of Laudato Si’.
On 7 August 2025, TAJPI hosted a major gathering at St. Joseph Boys Science High School, Kituri Mwanga, under the theme “Peace with Creation.” Students participated in:
This event emphasized that ecological conversion requires not only awareness but also practical action. Many students expressed renewed commitment to caring for trees and protecting the environment.
Acceptance of the Birthday Tree Planting Project continues to grow, particularly in rural communities, where the project is now recognized as both meaningful and beneficial to daily life.
Fundraising Update
GlobalGiving $54 USD Online contributions
Local Contributions $4,450 USD Includes $3,450 in-kind and $1,000 cash
We are deeply grateful to both local supporters and international donors. Your generosity directly fuels education, training, and the provision of tree seedlings.
Plans for Next Quarter (Nov 2025 – Feb 2026)
In the upcoming quarter, TAJPI will:
As the proverb reminds us:
“A society grows great when elders plant trees whose shade they may never sit under.”
Every tree planted today is a gift to future generations.
Appreciation
We sincerely thank all our donors, partners, educators, families, and students who continue to support this mission. Your contributions are helping nurture a generation grounded in care, responsibility, and hope for our common home.
We warmly encourage your continued support as we expand this important work.
Submitted by:
The A’ray Justice and Peace Initiative (TAJPI) Team
Rhotia Village, Karatu District
October 2025
Links:
Project reports on GlobalGiving are posted directly to globalgiving.org by Project Leaders as they are completed, generally every 3-4 months. To protect the integrity of these documents, GlobalGiving does not alter them; therefore you may find some language or formatting issues.
If you donate to this project or have donated to this project, you can receive an email when this project posts a report. You can also subscribe for reports without donating.
Support this important cause by creating a personalized fundraising page.
Start a Fundraiser
