The children in the Pope Francis Home were excited about planting trees
(Their faces cannot be shown in order to protect their identity)
From the Malindi community, Kenya
The Kenyan government announced a surprise public holiday on 13 November 2023 for a nationwide Tree Planting Day.
In a gazette notice dated November 6, Prof Kindiki said President William Ruto would lead the country in the tree-growing exercise in line with his administration’s ambitious plan of growing 10 billion trees by 2032. This is a government’s response to the climate change crisis which is a global issue and which is, in particular, causing worsening droughts in the Horn of Africa, including Kenya, where rains have failed for five seasons in a row.
Kenya has lost nearly half of its forest cover since independence. Several factors, including agriculture, logging, and charcoal production, drive
deforestation. The loss of forests has contributed to climate change and harmed biodiversity and livelihoods.
The Kenyan Minister for environment, climate change and forestry said they would provide tree seedlings for what he said was “an
unprecedented show of commitment by the government towards our climate action obligations…It is a moment for Kenyans to stand
in solidarity in the defense of our environment. It is a ‘hummingbird’ contribution day, all of us pulling together to fight back the climate
change crisis.”
The tree planting exercise extended across the 47 counties presided over by Cabinet Secretaries and Governors, where all Kenyan citizens
and the general public were expected to participate.
Responding to this call from the Government, the Missionary Sisters of our Lady of Africa; Malindi Community, together with the Children of Pope Francis Rescue Home and staff members, participated in a ceremony of planting trees together after Sr. Redempta’s input on climate change and the importance of tree planting. The exercise was exciting as each child wanted at least to hold a tree as it was being planted and also many of them held the watering can as they together watered the trees.
The MSOLA sisters of Malindi Community are determined to continue the work of making people aware of the impact of climate change and
the importance of tree planting by giving a seedling to each child to plant at home when reintegrated to the family.
