It has been a long time since I put anything on the blog. No I have not passed on or that the project is at a stand still. The opposite is happening. The project is getting lessons in communications and filling out forms, making reports and oh yes! they are planting trees like crazy. Perhaps I should take a lesson in communicating since the blog is so behind. I have been busy editing our ‘how to’ book getting ready to print more copies and send out. Let me know if you want one, the shipping is not cheap so donations are always welcome. The new constitution for African Community Project in Zambia has also taken much of my time. Robson the Country Manager is busy doing the work of filing along with some capable people that have come on board.
Back to communications. It is still a challenge to get reports and photos of projects, snail mail is very slow, and the internet is sporadic. Poor Fred goes the 60 kilometers into Kasama to send things and finds the Internet down. Felix is having the same trouble, even no electricity sometimes. We can still text, which we do regularly but getting reports is another matter. Teaching the facilitators to communicate is one thing but getting the system to work is another.
Felix our facilitator started buying Jatropha seeds in Mumbi Village yesterday. We will restock our seeds inventory of Jatropha to 750,000 to 1,000,000 seeds. These seeds will be distributed to our demonstration tree nurseries across Zambia. The seeds will be planted throughout the year and the seedlings passed to the communities as they learn about reforestation, how to grow trees and care for their environment. Many villagers request seeds so they can start growing Jatropha for possible bio-fuel and soap making.
I am happy to say that Robson Nyirenda, African Community Projects, Country Manager in Zambia is attending a workshop on community facilitation and climate change at the Zambia Forest College in Kitwe this week.
The crew at Mukuni Community Forest wants to add another 5,000 trees to the nursery behind the curio market at Mukuni Village. Bringing the total to 10,000. My answer to them was, yes! The program is working. Now all I have to do is find funds for the needed supplies.
It is great to see that the United Nations is acknowledging the importance of the forests around us. Both urban and forests in their wild state. They are so vital to our survival as a planet. We as humans must take most of the blame for the state the earth is in and the devastation of our forests. I am proud to do my part in replanting the forests of the world.
