Saplings Project

Trees are essential for the planet’s well-being turning carbon dioxide into oxygen. As most of us can’t plant 200 or more trees in our own garden, we have a solution that helps us reduce our carbon footprint whilst giving life saving resources to others.

Some 80% of rural Africans depend on wood for fuel, but in some parts of Africa, trees are becoming scarce due to nomadic habits and pressures of growth. Our Saplings project educates children in these areas on the importance of trees for their future and gives them trees to look after and cultivate, underlining the message to the whole community.

Typically, a child will be given two saplings – either a fruit tree or one with medicinal properties and another, fast growing tree for cutting for firewood. Fruit trees include mango and tangerine, whilst trees with medicinal use can be neem or jatropha. The children learn through songs and poems and take home a simple and powerful message: if you cut down a tree, plant two more!

The Feed The Children (UK) project provides saplings, tools, fertiliser and a visit from a training officer. The ultimate benefit of the tree can give triple benefits – fruit to supplement nutrition, wood for fuel and horticultural skills to build confidence.

To fund the project and create greater awareness, we are selling special Saplings ribbons at £1 each.  Each ribbon represents a sapling.  The ribbons are green (for leaves) and brown (for roots), you can visibly show your support. Alternatively, you can simply donate on-line.