Schools Green Initiative Challenge
The green initiative challenge is a unique project that will be done in Rusinga schools. The main objective is the greening of Rusinga as a way of mitigating climate change.
The children and participating schools will be awarded based on the highest survival rates of seedlings use of innovation and community inclusion. With availability of funds, we intend to set up woodlots / tree nurseries in every participating schools, the project act as change agent to establish a tree planting culture for multiple benefits in the island.
Even higher benefits are the project’s contribution to the reduction of green-house gases through carbon sequestration and the control of soil erosion, by increasing top soil infiltration and reducing runoffs.
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Woodlot Project
The project is designed to develop small forests and woodlots within the selected school’s compound for the multiple benefits of the schools and the larger community.
It seeks to sensitize the pupils and the neighbouring communities train and facilitate them to grow trees and shrubs.
Project Outcomes
Making Our Community Stronger
Sensitized and inspired pupils, teachers and parents with increased knowledge, skills, positive attitude and enthusiasm to engage in environmental conservation through tree planting
Enhanced capacities of beneficiaries to fully engage in and maximize the benefits of tree growing and agroforestry practices.
Increased awareness and understanding on how to use tree growing as a tool for environmental conservation, to strengthen food security and foster sustainable livelihoods.
Why the Initiative?
If the current perilous situation in the island goes unchecked, there is likelihood of this fragile situation slipping from bad to worse.
Major reforestation endeavours conforming with globally espoused REDD plus principles need to be domesticated which in turn includes bringing back the fast disappearing indigenous trees species which are tolerant to the local soils and the ecological settings, giving the trees enough protection to avert any possibilities of animals destroying them. The diverse gardens and food forests with fruit bearing trees become the source of food for the growing populations.
Scaling up the catholic of initiatives gearing towards restoration, protection of nature are essential i.e creation of strong public opinion, controlling population explosion, growing grass and fodder and also growing trees which mature rapidly which can produce wood to meet the high demands of timber and other needs would be quite detrimental and essential. As a whole in the bigger picture we need to save forests by avoiding cutting down trees, establish new ones and reestablish old ones.
Specific Activities
One Child One Tree
Working with five selected schools to establish woodlots. Each child to plant one tree and take care of it every year. The selected schools need fences and farm tools to realize this.
Major Project Immediate Exigencies
Fencing of the woodlots
Expanding our tree nursery
Purchase of the farm tools
Setting up forest gardens in the 20 selected schools
Piping & pumping water from the lake to the project site
This program is strategically being implemented through building effective partnerships in the pursuit of a brighter future for the Island's children. The following forms the core of our focal point to supporting Island’s children:
Habitat
Goal: This seeks to ensure that children live in secure, safe and healthy habitats.
Children should live in communities, which have the capacities to provide:
Long term access to basic needs essential for the development of children.
Long term and effectively manage and protect their shared natural resources and prevent depletion of natural environments.
Access tradable financial and material resources to meet habitat requirements including housing, security and privacy for children.
Livlihood
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Goal: The initiative seeks to increase food security & family disposable income
To raise disposable household income of families through improving and diversifying sustainable agricultural production, providing access to training on various issues as a way of enabling them to make an enterprise venture.
Growing Up Healthy
Goal: Seeks to ensure the survival, protection and healthy development of children and the reproductive health of adolescents and adults.
Pre-school children should be protected from diseases, Nutritional deficiency, neglect, child labour and abuse and have access to stimulating environment.
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Children with disabilities and special needs including those who are particularly vulnerable and marginalized should have access to appropriate childcare and health services where feasible and practical.
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Adolescent children should access to services and information that prevent them from being infected with HIV/AIDS and early pregnancy& promotion of healthy lifestyle amongst them.