By Evance Chisiano

Chiradzulu, March 23, Mana: A grouping of people from Namitambo area in Chiradzulu under the name Zakwathu Ku Namitambo (ZKN) Trust has handed over 400 seedlings to three schools within Traditional Authority Mpunga in the district to instill environmental consciousness among leaners that are expected to plant the trees in their schools within the forestry season.

ZKN Trust member and leaners at Namitambo, Chingoma and Malowa schools planted the seedlings on Saturday while other trees are expected to be planted soon.   

Speaking at Namitambo School on Saturday, ZKN Trust National Coordinator.  Pacharo Namatumbo urged learners to appreciate effects of climate change and start taking positive steps towards addressing problems that arise as a result of environmental degradation.

“We expect that you will take care of the trees by protecting them against damage,” he said, adding that ZKN Trust in collaboration with forestry extension worker for Namitambo area will continue monitoring the trees to ensure a higher survival rate.

Wildlife Environmental Society of Malawi (WESM) donated the trees to ZKN Trust for distribution in schools at Namitambo as complimentary to afforestation drive in the current forestry season which started on December 15, 2023 and will end on April 15, 2024.

Namatumbo commended WESM for responding to ZKN Trust’s request for tree seedlings.

Head teacher for Namitambo School, Charles Majawa expressed gratitude to ZKN Trust’s for the afforestation drive and pledged to take care of the trees so that they benefit them in future.

“We will assign classes to take care of the trees and we will make sure that we are watering the seedlings to increase survival rate,” he said.

Forestry Assistant responsible for Namitambo area, Brand Abraham commended ZKN Trust for complementing Chiradzulu District Forestry Office’s quest for forest coverage in schools, homes, hills and along streams in order to control land degradation and to provide wind shield to schools that are usually blown off by strong winds.

“We really appreciate the tree seedlings donation. This is complimentary because the forestry office always encourage tree planting in the communities,” he said.

ZKN Trust comprises groups of people who come from Namitambo whose objective is to   improve people`s livelihood in the area as well as to promote agriculture and encourage people to actively participate in good governance.,

The trust also donated an ambulance to Namitambo Health Center in September 2019 to improve mobility and in 2017 to 2020, ZKN supported 124 secondary school girls and boys with schools’ fees, uniforms, notebooks and school bags.

ln 2017 t0 2020 the trust also distributed food and non-food items in Namitambo area to poor households to improve their livelihood.