East African Gazette
Teso region
As a measure to address Climate Change challenges, ActionAid International Uganda (AAIU), in collaboration with the government, has initiated a fresh tree-planting initiative.
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This campaign spearheaded by Primary schools, aims to restore the depleted natural resources and forest cover in the Teso Region.
The program entails planting one million trees and is supported by AAIU and Uganda Youth Go-Green.
The Kumi district natural resources officer, Moses Opio, stated during the project’s commissioning at Kapasak Primary School in Ongino Sub County, Kumi, that the government had realized how important it was for the tree-planting campaign to be strengthened among the youth because the next generation needed to understand the significance of the environmental conversation and the effects of climate change.
“We want schools to play a leading role in environmental protection and have an impact on their neighborhoods. We are confident that the youngsters will serve as government environmental ambassadors in their homes and larger communities as a result of the knowledge they will be gaining about the value of trees,” he said.
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He noted that the campaign aligns with the government’s ideology of environmental conservation and sustainable use of natural resources, as part of the efforts to combating climate change effects.
AAIU and other partners were commended for their contribution to this cause.
During the project’s inauguration, Adesso and Kapasak primary schools received 4,000 tree seedlings, while one of the model farms and the neighborhood received 2,000 and 300 seedlings respectively.
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This initiative aims to address the alarming rate of deforestation caused by charcoal burning, farming, and firewood extraction, which has left the land vulnerable to floods.
Furthermore, he emphasized that climate change not only leads to food insecurity but also triggers other detrimental consequences for communities, including disease outbreaks and conflicts over limited resources.
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“We have been hearing cases of peoples’ food being stolen. This is all because people can cultivate enough food to feed their families,” Opio noted.
He also highlighted that the entire sub region is grappling with a severe issue of food insecurity due to unreliable rainfall patterns.
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Environment and learning
The senior education officer of the district, Steven Akol, emphasized that a conducive environment plays a crucial role in promoting effective learning.
“This is a flat land and when it rains children can’t go to school because the area floods and when there is a lot of heat it affects the children in class due to lack of comfort. But we are getting all these effects, because communities cleared the trees to expand land for farming, charcoal and other things,” he added.
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He observed that by having a sufficient number of trees in the vicinity, it would be possible to attain dependable precipitation to enhance agricultural productivity and create a pleasant climate for the learners. “How do you expect pupils to learn well under too much heat? That is why we are so grateful for this project because when the trees grow, they are able to provide shed, absorb heat and in the process form rainfall. Thanks to partners AAIU and Youth Go-Green,” he noted.
The AAIU program assistant, Daisy Awilo said they realized that all the ecosystems were getting destroyed in the entire sub region, thus posing a serious danger to the future generation.
“We want children and schools to take the lead to help them understand the effects of destroying trees and other natural resources, so they can take the right decisions as the future generation,” she added.
“You see most of the rivers and wetland areas have dried up. Even accessing water for domestic use in many areas is a hustle. So we think this campaign is very relevant and timely to save the situation. We think if everyone gets involved, we shall be able to see a change in the next 10 years from now,” he added.
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ActionAid is a global movement of people working together to further human rights and defeat poverty for all.
School debates
On top of organizing tree planting activities, the AAIU proceeded to involve primary schools in debates focusing on climate change and environmental conservation.
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Atuitui primary school emerged victorious in the two-day school debate competition, surpassing over 10 other participating schools.
The majority of participants attributed the increased deforestation and wetland encroachment to the ignorance of communities, starting from local leaders and parents.
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The children suggested promoting tree planting on special occasions such as birthdays, weddings, and other national days like Independence Day among others.
“I will educate my parents on the benefits of tree planting and request a piece of land to grow trees,” Grace Akello, a pupil from Kapasak Primary School said.
The top three winning schools received improved institutional cooking stoves, while each top student was awarded a household improved cooking stove.
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This initiative aimed to boost the demand for clean energy technologies in the district and reduce charcoal consumption.
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