Jinja Youth Tree Nurseries

As the new year opens, the Jinja Youth Tree Nurseries project has an opener update too. With resources to have made the establishment of 2 tree nurseries possible, a lot has been and still being achieved with assured support for the project. 

After the establishment of 2 tree nurseries around Jinja, our programs especially the Young Environmentalists Program and the Climate Demonstration Hubs has been continuously supplied with tree seedlings to be planted in schools and local communites by students, teaching and non teaching staff as well as small holder farmers. 

From activities like the Birthday Tree Campaign, PLE Tree Campaign to Orchard weeks and mass planting activities by partners. All this was made possible through the GlobalGiving donations towards the Jinja Youth Tree Nurseries Project.

Over 5,000 tree seedlings were donated and planted by 1500 students, teachers and non teaching staff in 20 schools and by 250 small holder farmers in 5 communities. What an amazing way to open the year 2023.

We will continue to create a global population mindful and protective of the environment by actively engaging society in working towards continued improvement of the environment with support from our partners, friends and family. 

With our partners in Wakalenge we grew several hundred fruit tree seedlings and established an orchard in ten schools and several communities. Recently with the wet rain season we are growing new seedlings and looking for new partner schools while continuing to visit established sites. 

"Introducing pupils to climate change has equipped them with the practicability of taking care of the trees and the ecosystems around their schools because you have a practical climate series curriculum. The trees you have donated and planted, are already providing us with shade and the pupils and teachers are enjoying fruits harvested from them” - Mr. Magala Derrick, Deputy Head teacher St Henry’s Educational Centre

The greatest joy for us as GirlsForClimateAction is seeing former students becoming leaders in their communities. Among families and communities, awareness has grown and changed the way people perceive their relationship to the environment 

Links:

• home page

As students returned to school in Uganda a jump start for Girls for Climate's schools programs began. Four new leaders were brought onto the team, ten schools were engaged in tree planting and education in climate resilient activities, while ten local fruit tree and native plant orchards were established. Each school planted at least 100 tree seedlings while a total of over 1000 students were engaged in hands-on learning. 

The team of Joanita Babirye, Kizza Pius Ddumba, Apolot Barbara, Naddungu Maria Linus, Mwesigwa Jonah, and Kafuko Jennifer are not ready to stop. New schools are asking for our workshops and a supply of seedlings to keep pace. We look ahead to the day when trees will refresh every school and inspire bright minds to act for our common green future.

• G4C action report (PDF)
  

Girls 4 Climate Nursery Project Report (2021)

Workshops were carried out in Mpumudde, Mafubira, Walukuba, Bugembe, and Namulesa in late 2021. The Namulesa training involved community members from Life Ministries who received trees and learned about the health benefits of plants such as Moringa, Jackfruit, and others, led by local captain Judith. The Mpumudde, Walukuba, Bugembe and Mafubira workshops combined included 50 young people.

In Mafubira a two-day training was carried out with local youth to serve as climate captains. This involved sharing the main concepts and challenges of climate change, eco-mapping and space for youth to share some of the challenges and solutions seen at the local level. 

Jinja Youth Tree Nursery 

On receiving donations through GlobalGiving, the core team met to decide how to progress with plans for a youth-led tree nursery in the Jinja area. It was agreed to buy an area of land.

While the specific tract of land has not been decided upon, a preliminary budget for 7,000 seedlings was made (not including the land). Of the 16,489,340 ugx raised on GlobalGiving and received as direct transaction to our bank account, 40,250 ugx was deducted as bank charges and the rest of the amount will be spent as follows; 12 m ugx will go to purchasing land, while 4 m will be saved for the nursery itself.

Goals for 2022

We plan to purchase land to establish our Youth Tree Nursery and establish more tree nurseries with local youth.

We plan to distribute and plant 10,000 fruit tree seedlings around schools and communities

The team are also partnering with several local educators, such as EcoMamas and PEACE, raising the number of youth involved in climate action education and solutions. We are keen to train more climate captains - youth who will be able to educate and take actions at the grassroots level.