Welcome to your quarterly report update on APOPO’s HeroTREEs program in Tanzania. Despite the global effects of Covid-19, our farmers remain working and are as committed as ever, to mitigating climate change and sustaining the important habitat of the Uluguru Mountains, part of the Eastern Arc range.
At least 25% of Tanzanians depend on the Eastern Arc Mountains for their water supply. The Eastern Arc is recognised internationally as an area with an exceptional concentration of unique plant and animal species.
Here’s your round up of the past few months – we couldn’t do what we do, without support such as yours, so thank you for making this possible!
APOPO’s project mission is to train local farmers and plant a total of 21,000 trees over five years. Working in partnership with Sustainable Agriculture Tanzania (SAT), training is being provided to local farmers working on the slopes of the Uluguru Mountains. This will result in reduced greenhouse gases from mature trees that are being planted, conservation of tropical forest, increased water quality and quantity, elimination of slash and burn agriculture, and an increase in the carbon content of the soil.
In the last three months, partner SAT have trained 92 farmers in the following mountain villages:
This last quarter, they started work on a new tree nursery in Choma, where preparation and management of tree seedlings is ongoing.
In December SAT carried out inspections of farms, assessing farmers for planting and maintaining trees as well as the caretaking of tree seedling nurseries. Over 85 farmers, our Tree Planting Heroes, proved eligible for payment showing that your donation has made an incredible difference, not only to the farmers and their families, but also to the local mountain communities in Tanzania, who will pass on this wisdom and care to future generations. Your contribution goes towards ensuring these trees can continue to grow and absorb carbon without the risk of being cut down. Thank you.
This week, APOPO's HeroTREEs is participating in GlobalGiving's Climate Action Appeal - donate today until Friday 23rd April 12pm EST and your donation will be doubled!
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Welcome to your quarterly report update. Even as pandemic precautions continue to affect our lives across the globe, our farmers remain on task and committed to our environmental efforts. Here’s the latest news from the field:
The last few months have been a time of training and growth for our team. We've been focused on training new farmers and setting the foundation for the future of the program.
90 total farmers were trained in the last 3 months:
Our current trees continue to mature and undergo routine inspection as part of farmer training.
Your help has made a difference.
During this unusual time, while many businesses feel the economic impact of continued social distancing, rural farmers are amongst those most vulnerable to hardship and poverty. APOPO remains steadfast in our humanitarian mission to help alleviate poverty in farming communities whilst protecting the environment. We remain in compliance with the World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines to ensure everyone’s safety and stay the course of our mission.
We wish to take this opportunity to thank you for your generosity and support during the Q4 period. Even in uncertain times, the kindness of those around us has made a huge impact on the lives of local farmers and their families. We wish you and your family a joyous holiday season and a healthy, prosperous New Year.
We hope you enjoy the photos we've attached with the report showing the progress of our farmers and we look forward to continuing our journey with you in 2021.
Welcome to your quarterly project update. Amidst the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic many of our farmers were able to continue their vital work and it's our pleasure to bring you the following information directly from the field.
Total number of trees planted:
2300 across more than 10 species of tree.
The number of farmers who received training:
20 farmers in Ruvuma
20 farmers in Mgambazi
20 farmers in Tulo
20 farmers in Choma
10 farmers in Kisosa
The training provided to these farmers covered the collection of more indigenous seeds and seedlings, plucking them out into polythene bags or planting them directly into the field. Training also covered the care of seedlings in nurseries in addition to the management of trees once planted.
Plans for the next quarter:
- Identification of more indigenous seeds or seedlings to establish in nurseries.
- Management of tree seedlings across all nurseries.
To you, a huge thank you:
With your support this scheme has motivated farmers from all 5 areas to plant an incredible number of trees, safeguarding the forests of the Uluguru mountains. Your continued support for this project will help us continue in our efforts to reduce greenhouse gases, in addition to reducing poverty for local farmers, ensuring greater economic security.
Welcome to your latest HeroTREEs update!
Quarter 1 of 2020 started with a celebration of all of the successes from 2019 and in early January we were delighted to welcome all of our farmers together to provide them with a project update and payment for their hard work.
All of our farmers were delighted to catch up with colleagues from other nurseries and share their experiences with each other; our Kisosa group farmers reported successes with growing on several indiginous tree species such as Bridelia micrantha, Syzigium guineeense and Ficus sycomorus whilst the Choma Street nursery had some 1700 healthy seedlings to manage.
Thanks to your donations, local farmers are able to plant a wide variety of trees which will safeguard the forest, and the local communities who rely upon it, by reducing greenhouse gases.
In addition to a 2019 update we're delighted to say that Q1 2020 started well with 90 new farmers trained and welcomed into our HeroTREEs family. Farmers in Ruvuma, Mgambazi, Tulo, Choma and Kisosa joined existing farmers and project managers to learn all about nursery management including how to pick out seedlings and nurture healthy specimens.
APOPO & COVID-19
For Q2 of 2020 we can't ignore the elephant in the room - COVID-19.
As organisations that serve some of the world’s most vulnerable communities, APOPO has a duty to continue humanitarian missions with a priority for the safety and wellbeing of our staff and the families that depend on us. Here at APOPO we, and our partner Sustainable Agriculture Tanzania, are adjusting how we work in line with the latest national government and World Health Organisation (WHO) guidance to keep working as much as possible while ensuring we keep everyone safe.
We wish you and your families, dear supporter, the best of health during this uncertain time.
October to December 2019 was another busy quarter for our farmers. No new tree seedlings were planted but many of our farmers attended training on nursey management and GPS survey methods in order to accurately measure their plots to ensure efficient use of the land for plantations. A total of 90 farmers attended training in Q4 including 20 farmers from Ruvuma, 20 from Mgambazi, 20 from Tulo, 20 from Choma, and 10 from Kisosa.
When they weren't attending training Chemkeni Kisosa group continued the management of their tree nursery with indigenous tree species such as:
Twimanye Choma street group continued with the management of remaining seedlings in their nursery.
The new year has arrived and brought fresh motivation to continue this valuable work throughout 2020 and the focus of Q1 will be as follows:
As a busy quarter awaits us, we wish to thank you for your continued support. With each seedling planted you are developing local farmers, inspiring young people and helping the environment, one leaf at a time.
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