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Showing posts from November, 2023

Greening Kilifi: A Million Trees, One Community, Infinite Impact

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 In the heart of Kilifi County, Kenya, a profound transformation is unfolding—one that I've been privileged to witness and contribute to. My journey with "OneMillionTrees4Kilifi" has been nothing short of inspiring, as we strive to address malnutrition and cultivate a greener, more vibrant environment. As someone deeply passionate about community development, joining the cause of "OneMillionTrees4Kilifi" was a natural fit. The vision was bold yet simple: plant a million fruit trees in 400 schools. Little did I know that this initiative would not only combat malnutrition but also sow the seeds of environmental consciousness in the hearts of our community's youngest members . Madam Claudia Director Pamoja Girls Beyond the compounds, our mission extends to the bustling heart of Malindi-Kilifi, a town that yearns for more green spaces. The Green City Initiative became a rallying cry, urging everyone to turn urban expanses into havens of biodiversity. One project

Unveiling the Kilifi Intergenerational Climate Change Dialogue: A Beacon of Local Climate Action

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In the heart of Kilifi County, Kenya, where the impacts of climate change reverberate through the community, a transformative initiative emerged — the Kilifi Intergenerational Climate Change Dialogue (KICCD) 2023. Born out of a desire to bridge the gap between high-level climate discussions and grassroots communities, this groundbreaking event showcased the power of collaboration, community engagement, and the relentless pursuit of sustainable solutions. Polly Wachirah ~ Moderator. The story began with a vision to localize climate action. Recognizing the urgency of the climate crisis, Onemilliontrees4kilifi conceived the idea of KICCD. Understanding the importance of collective effort, the local organization joined hands with fellow thirty community-based organizations at Maono, forging a united front against climate challenges.  Gaining insights from the African Climate Summit in Nairobi, the organizers honed their strategy, drawing inspiration from global initiatives while keeping a

Sowing Resilience: Planting One Million Fruit Trees for Kilifi's Future

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 Kilifi County, situated along the Kenyan coastline, grapples with several challenges, including malnutrition among school children and unpredictable rainfall patterns that hinder agriculture and livestock keeping. The issue of malnutrition stems from limited access to nutritious fruits in the diets of school-going children in Kilifi. Additionally, rampant deforestation has significantly affected the region's agricultural sector and water resources, leading to irregular rainfall patterns. Magarini Kilifi Magarini Kilifi According to the World Forest Watch, Kilifi had 173kha of tree cover in 2010, covering 14% of its land area. However, by 2022, it lost 590 ha of tree cover, equivalent to 180 kt of CO2 emissions. This alarming trend indicates that none of the 400 schools in Kilifi county have a tree cover exceeding 10%. Reports from the National Center for Biotechnology Information highlight Kilifi County's high rates of undernutrition, with one in five under-5 children being un

HURRAY! PANDA RAFIKI DID IT!

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In the beginning of the previous month, we introduced a challenge called "Pandarafiki." The term "Panda Rafiki" is derived from Swahili, where "Panda" means to plant, and "Rafiki" translates to a friend in English.  This challenge held great significance for our organization. Its primary goal was to increase the number of trees planted and nurtured to reach one million trees in Kilifi County. The initiative aimed to foster a stronger sense of love and friendship among those who planted these trees. Given the pressing issue of climate change, we recognize the critical importance of planting trees as a means to mitigate its effects. Now, as we commemorate one month since the launch of the Pandarafiki challenge, we wish to evaluate whether it has fulfilled its intended purpose. Progress so far, The intended purpose of this initiative was twofold. Firstly, it sought to align with the shared goal of the "onemilliontrees4kilifi" project, whic

Kenya Welcomes the Tree Planting Holiday.

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A "Tree Holiday Planting Day" is a special occasion set aside for the purpose of planting trees, often organized as a community or environmental initiative. These events are typically scheduled during specific times of the year when tree planting is most favorable, such as the rainy season. The primary objective of these events is to contribute to environmental improvement, combat deforestation, enhance urban green spaces, and mitigate the adverse effects of climate change. In this context, we would like to extend our heartfelt congratulations to the President of Kenya for establishing November 13th as Kenya's inaugural Tree Planting Holiday. We anticipate that November 13th will become a widely celebrated tree planting holiday in Kenya and across Africa, much like Arbor Day in the United States.  Arbor Day is a holiday that has been traditionally dedicated to planting and nurturing trees, with its roots tracing back to 19th-century America. Over time, it has expanded its