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Communities Rally for Tree Planting Push Under TIH Green TVET Initiative

There Is Hope (TIH) has mobilized communities in Dowa to promote sustainable tree planting as the country’s planting season comes to an end.

The initiative, implemented under the Green TVET Initiative within the Skill Up Project and funded by Welthungerhilfe, brought together 63 participants at Mndunje Community Day Secondary School. Attendees included youth clubs, local leaders, and officials from the Department of Forestry, with discussions centered on addressing deforestation and strengthening community-led environmental restoration.

District Forestry Officer Benjamin Kanyenda urged communities to take responsibility for replacing trees that are cut down.

“Tidzaleso ina tikadura. We must plant others when we cut them down,” he said.

Participants received training in proper tree planting methods, including spacing, hole preparation, and the use of organic manure to improve survival rates. Forestry officials emphasized that planting should begin at the onset of the rainy season and be followed by consistent aftercare.

A total of 815 tree seedlings have been allocated to youth clubs, which are expected to lead planting efforts in their respective communities during the next rainy season. Additional seedlings are expected to be distributed to widen coverage.

Community leaders, including Group Village Head Msonthi, pledged support for the initiative, with a strong emphasis on youth participation. Young people committed to taking a leading role in environmental conservation.

A community development representative said the initiative would have lasting impact.

“The trees we plant today will protect our future generations,” the representative said.

The activity also forms part of TIH’s Green TVET approach, which integrates environmental sustainability into vocational skills training. Trees used in carpentry training are systematically replaced to minimize environmental impact.

TIH says it will continue to monitor progress by working with youth clubs to track tree planting and survival rates in the coming season.

As the planting season ends, stakeholders say sustained community action remains critical to restoring the environment.