Growing together, growing better
Author: Admin@adcyxagency.co.za
Your monthly update from the Food & Trees For Africa team.
OUR ANNUAL REVIEW ON CULTIVATING COMMUNITY EMPOWERMENT AND TRANSFORMATION
The 2023 Annual Review of Food & Trees for Africa (FTFA) highlights our ongoing commitment to environmental sustainability and community development. Over the past year, FTFA has made remarkable strides in greening and food security efforts across South Africa and six other Southern African nations.
Key Achievements:
• Tree Planting & Carbon Offset: 22,752 trees were planted, contributing to greening 211 communities and offsetting 8,396 tonnes of CO₂.
• Food Gardens: The Food Gardens for Africa (FGFA) programme has been pivotal in promoting food sovereignty, establishing 200 food gardens and supporting 400 home-linked gardens. This initiative benefited approximately 12,000 individuals and generated an income of R776,390.
• Community & Education Initiatives: The EduPlant Programme, which fosters sustainable agriculture in schools, celebrated its 25th cycle, winning the Trialogue Strategic CSI Award. This programme engaged communities through educational workshops and practical training in permaculture and agroecology.
• Partnerships & Volunteerism: Collaborations with South African companies, trusts and other organisations enhanced community projects, enriching and elevating the crucial transformation that is taking place.
As we look ahead, FTFA remains dedicated to expanding its reach and impact, continuing to foster sustainable development and environmental harmony. Join us in planting seeds for a greener, more resilient future.
For more details, read the full review or visit our website.
GROW AFRICA'S FUTURE
TODAY, TOMORROW, TOGETHER WITH ABSA BANK
Between 30 April and 17 May, 2024, , ABSA generously donated funds to support greening initiatives across South Africa. This substantial contribution resulted in the planting of 900 trees and the organisation of nine staff volunteer events, one in each of South Africa’s provinces. This donation of 900 trees equated to an approximate offset of 332.10 tonnes of CO2e over a 40-year growth period. Each province received 100 trees, benefiting 13 different communities.
These efforts fostered a sense of unity and promoted environmental awareness by bringing together diverse communities with a shared goal of enhancing their local environments. Volunteers from various backgrounds collaborated in the tree-planting activities, forging stronger bonds and a collective sense of purpose.
As the month of May hosts both World Biodiversity Day and World Hunger Day, it is important to highlight the benefits of tree planting for both these crucial tenets. Here are some advantages:
• Improving Air Quality: Trees remove the C and leave us with the O₂. By absorbing pollutants, trees provide oxygen and improve the quality of our air.
• Animal Habitat: A variety of animal species rely on trees for food, shelter, and habitat.
• Community Building: Planting trees promotes social interaction and community involvement.
• Economic Benefits: Trees boost local economic diversity, encouraging more businesses and tourists, and raising property values.
• Benefits to Public Health: Trees offer shade, which lowers heat stress and encourages exercise.
• Food Security: Planting trees ensures that communities have access to a broad variety of nutrient-rich food alternatives by promoting diversity in our food systems. Trees not only offer a direct source of food, but they also raise agricultural productivity levels overall.
THE POWER OF COLLABORATIVE COMMUNITY - CULTIVATING FOOD SECURITY IN LESOTHO
St. Cecilia Orphanage in Ha Buasano, Lesotho, in collaboration with Food & Trees for Africa (FTFA) and Shoprite, is making significant strides in enhancing local food security. Established in 2009, St. Cecilia Orphanage has been a sanctuary for children affected by poverty and the HIV/AIDS pandemic, offering shelter, education, vocational training, and essential life skills.
In 2019, the 2.3-hectare food garden was established at the orphanage, providing vital vegetables. In 2022, FTFA and Shoprite supported the orphanage with crucial resources, including tools, seeds, seedlings, compost, trees, and comprehensive training, marking FTFA's first project outside South Africa.
In this article, we tell St Cecilia's story and proudly share the tangible transformations taking place in the Ha Buasano community.
ACRP SPEARHEADS YOUTH LEADERSHIP AT THE AFRICAN YOUTH CONFERENCE, GHANA
From 2 to 4 May, Bertha Letsoko, the Policy and International Cooperation Campaigner for the African Climate Reality Project (ACRP), attended the African Youth Conference in Ghana.
This gathering served as a platform for catalysing change and showcased the youth’s commitment to strategic management of invaluable natural resources. Hosted by the Strategic Youth Network for Development (SYND), Bertha was invited to participate in a panel discussion on the topic of “Amplifying African Youth-Led Solutions on Climate and Environmental Issues.” Bertha emphasised that youth must be included in policy-making discussions. She shared during her discussion: “The youth are the ones spearheading the fight for climate justice. As a generation that has inherited the effects of climate change, we see community-led initiatives all across Africa led by passionate youth who are determined to make a change. Their skills and voices need to be harnessed, their lived experiences need to be heard".
By attending the conference, Bertha not only represented ACRP but also powerfully amplified the cause of climate justice, championing the voices and actions of youth across the continent.
EDUPLANT WORKSHOPS KICK OFF WITH AN IMPACTFUL START
The EduPlant Programme facilitators enthusiastically welcomed participating schools on their two-year sustainable agriculture journey. Throughout this programme, participants will gain invaluable knowledge and resources on permaculture principles, food security, climate change, and sustainability.
Learners and community members engaged actively in the workshop, taking part in hands-on activities designed to be replicated in their home gardens and schools.
We eagerly anticipate the next five workshops with these EduPlant schools and the positive impact they will have on their communities.
SUPPORT RESTORATION IN SOUTHERN AFRICA
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