More trees planted at Ngutuk Ongiron and Kiltamany Primary Schools
In early March, I bought more trees from Isiolo forestry, which were planted at two more schools. I first went to Ngutuk Ongiron Primary, out in the middle of West Gate Conservancy. This is a very hot, dry area with no water at all and I thought it would be a real challenge for trees to grow here. The holes had been dug when I arrived and the teams ready. Each team had a name; from Gamia (camel in Swahili) to Simba (lion in Swahili), comprising of students of mixed ages. This was a very different experience to the one at Lpus Leluai primary. Here, students are much younger and live a very remote life. They were all terribly excited to plant their trees and it was great fun. I gave them the chicken wire and they started protecting the trees from the goats who were already moving around in the school compound. We discussed the water situation and agreed that every day when the students mothers would walk 7 kms to the river, they would collect a small amount for the school trees. Each small amount would add up to about 20 litres which would be enough for daily watering. I was pleased with the solution they had come up with and knew it would work. I have not been able to check up on the trees since they were planted on the 3rd of March, however the headmaster has informed me that all trees are doing well.
On the 10th of March, I delivered 10 trees to Kiltamany primary school, North of Samburu National Reserve. Again, I was met with a lot of enthusiasm and excitement. The kids all dug their holes, went dashing around to the villages to collect fertilizer and small sticks to protect their trees. It all went well and tree tags were made and distributed to the students. Rulers and books were also supplied and the students have been measuring and taking notes ever since.
To date, 33 trees have been planted by 98 students. Out of the 33 trees, 1 was cut by another student (Sabotage! This issue has since been resolved) and I replaced it with another tree, and 1 tree at Lpus Leluai was eaten by goats who had crawled under the chicken wire. So far all the others are doing well and were planted just in time prior to the April rains. I now have the next 20 trees which I shall plant in early May in 2 more schools. back to all news