From little seeds

IMPACT has enabled schools in Kibwezi and Embu Districts (Eastern Kenya) to plant over 20,000 trees in 12 months. These children are photographed with a new batch of saplings to care for.

In recent years the region has been ravaged by human activity, with forests cleared for cultivation and charcoal burning, and riverbeds damaged by sand-harvesting. Resulting soil erosion has led to desertification; prolonging droughts and threatened biodiversity. The impact on agriculture and livelihoods has increased poverty and malnutrition.

70% of the trees we planted last year survived the dry season and this has left good coverage to provide shelter for schoolchildren and animals and help prevent soil erosion (which benefits the vegetable plots we are also establishing). Many of the trees planted are mangoes and the fruit will provide useful micronutrients for schoolchildren.

www.impact.org.uk