World Vision Zambia Joins forces for Green Initiative in Chongwe District

In their efforts to support the government's regeneration and re-greening agenda, World Vision Zambia in partnership with Varun Beverages Zambia and PEPSICO has launched a tree planting exercise of 1,000 trees in schools in Chongwe district.

Speaking during the event at Twikatane School in Chongwe yesterday World Vision Zambia Resources Acquisition and Communication Director Jason Befus says World Vision Zambia aims to cover one million hectares of land in Zambia with natural resources management by 2030.

Mr. Befus says issues of climate change are a priority because they affect every member of society.

“World Vision Zambia focuses on children, and supports quality education we also work in water, sanitation and hygiene, the ablution block, child protection and enhance livelihoods and resilience among others. Sometimes you don’t think of World Vision around trees and climate change but this is one of the number concerns affecting every part of the world. So that is one area we want to expand in and we have a goal by 2020 to cover one million hectares of land in Zambia with what we call natural resources management and this is part of it. To achieve this we work with partners so Varun Beverages Zambia and PEPSICO is one of our partners so that we can reach the goal of not only regenerating trees but creating a better future for our children. So we have to stop acts of deforestation and replace the trees that are being cut through tree planting for the sake of our future generations. This is one of the 5 schools where we will be doing the tree planting in Chongwe and we hope to expand that program.

He said, ” the job of the school and the community is to nurture trees to ensure their healthy growth.“

And Vibhay Chauhan, the managing director of Varun Beverages Zambia, affirms the company's dedication to making a positive environmental impact through its business operations.

“I must begin by thanking World Vision Zambia for the work they are doing in uplifting communities and positively impacting the environment in deep rural communities of Zambia. This is very commendable. Am looking for more partnerships like this where we engage with the community in order to impact positively on the communities and the lives of kids. PEP plus is one of the initiatives which is run globally by PEPSICO.PEP Plus is basically all about having a positive influence on the environment and giving back to the community in the form of what we take. We make beverage products and we use a lot of water how can give back to nature and replace what we use? Tree planting is one of the initiatives we have embarked on with World Vision Zambia. Am sure in future will have more of such initiatives,” he said.   

Speaking at the same event Mary Mabale the Chongwe District Guidance and Counseling Coordinator for Chongwe district under the Ministry of Education pledged to ensure that the trees do not perish.

“Chongwe district through the office of the District Education Board Secretary-DEBS is very happy about this tree planting exercise. When people come to help us to plant trees it is our mandate [school and the community] to look at them so that they grow. She added that the trees should never die. We are supposed to support the trees by watering them and weeding around when the rains are over. We need the trees and by 2025 we should be able to point at them once they grow. We shall be knocking on your door so that more trees are planted in our school. We have given homework to our children that when the trees are planted we expect the school to have about two clubs and share the trees so that we see which clubs will do better. Conservation clubs can look after the trees then there is also the Impact Plus club.  

She urged the teachers at the school to use the learners to look after the trees.

She also thanked World Vision Zambia in partnership with Varun Beverages Zambia for supporting the school with such initiatives.

Headman Shimwami in Senior Chief Nkomeshya chiefdom also added his voice saying the tree planting exercise is a commendable move which the community must embrace.

The Headman appealed for more trees to be planted to act as windbreakers for the schools and nearby houses.

“Parents should do your best and support the initiative so that these trees can grow and give us nice air,” he said.

He said, “the issue of climate change must not be underrated given the dry spells the country has been experiencing.”