Project Report
| Feb 2, 2026
Preparing for rain season
By Heather Heckel | Executive Director
![A rainwater catchment system.]()
A rainwater catchment system.
Our local partners are using dry season to prepare for planting trees later this year. We are also working on connecting our tree planting efforts with our other programs including our women's farming project. Our goals and next steps include:
- constructing a structure for growing native tree seedlings
- training tree planters and women farmers in half-moon irrigation to conserve water
- building rain water catchment systems
- hiring two local youth to assist with the initial project
- purchasing a motorcycle so the coordinator can reach more rural villages
Long-term our project will integrate tree planting, youth environmental education, and women's farming to engage in large-scale reforestation efforts while also supporting local employment.
Later this month several Engage Globally board members will be traveling to Ghana to meet with our partners to discuss the expansion of our environmental efforts. If you would like to learn more, please email engage@engageglobally.org to join our email list.
Thank you!
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Oct 18, 2025
50 Trees Planted!
By Heather Heckel | Executive Director
![Kindergarten class with tree seedlings Oct. 2025]()
Kindergarten class with tree seedlings Oct. 2025
In early October, our local partners planted 50 trees at our newest school, Duahi. The seedlings were placed to create a living fence around the school – showing students and community members the property lines
in a natural way and helping to reduce erosion from increasingly severe storms. Duahi
was selected for several reasons including that it has the lowest number of students so there is extra water from the rainwater catchment system that can be used for the trees. Also, there is a school 'caretaker' from the local village who will fence the trees, water them, and help ensure their survival.
The kindergarten class was eager to help plant these trees. As they grow, they will be incorporated into the environmental education curriculum. Students will also have a chance to name and paint rocks to label each tree.
In 2026, we hope to start our own small native tree nursery, primarily for Dawa Dawa trees. Our goal
is to bring back this native and culturally valued species to the village of Duahi, whose name means ‘grove of Dawa Dawa trees’ in the local language. Eventually, the nursery will employ youth from the communities who never had a chance to attend school. We will need to install additional rainwater catchment systems on the school kitchen and possibly another one on the school to provide water for this project.
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![Student with seedling]()
Student with seedling
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Jun 27, 2025
Gardens being prepared
By Heather Heckel | Executive Director
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The rain season has begun in Ghana and our local partners have prepared two garden areas for two of our community learning centers. These are large spaces that are cleared, plowed, and then fenced. The fencing helps to keep out goats, chickens, and guinea fowl. Now that the gardens have been prepared, the children will work with their teachers and community volunteers to begin planting. They plan to grow corn, garden egg (eggplant), tomatoes, okra, a variety of spinach, and possibly some yams.
Last year the gardens were destroyed by the worse drought in 40 years and then subsequent flooding. This year, we are very hopeful that the project will be more successful. Our new rainwater catchment system at our newest school will also help with providing water for irrigation.
When the vegetables are harvested, they will be used in our school lunch program which is especially important this year due to regional food shortages and childhood malnutrition.
We look forward to updating you on the harvest later this fall.
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