400 trees for children’s future

BY STEVE EPHRAEM

A youth-led effort to turn bare land into green belts is taking shape at Tongogara Refugee Settlement, about 70km south-west of Chipinge town in Zimbabwe.

On October 29, 2026, the Refugee Coalition for Climate Action (RCCA) held a tree planting event that brought together refugee leaders, settlement administration, local government officials and international development partners. The aim was to advance environmental rehabilitation, climate resilience and food security.

More than 400 fruit trees were planted as part of a wider target of 475 trees. The event also saw the announcement of a new one-hectare vegetable growing project involving 20 young community members.

In his speech, the leader of RCCA, Gawaar Juich, said the initiative proved that refugees are not simply recipients of aid but active contributors to the positive development of Tongogara Refugee Settlement.

“Today, we have planted 410 trees. We had a target of 475, and with the great turnout of the community, we have almost reached our target. This is a testimony of the fact that as a community, we can come together and do community work in a much more coordinated effort. We appreciate our community for a great turnout.

“The project that we are launching today is a project that was started early on in 2025, where we had requested an expansion of one hectare of land from the settlement administration. When we were granted it, we had to mobilise resources.

So this is a project that has a very clear sustainability plan. After this tree planting is done, we are also going to launch a vegetable growing project where we are working with 20 young people who will be growing different types of vegetables here,” he said.

The Settlement Administrator, Mr Johanne Mhlanga, said the tree planting was creating a future for children.

“The thrust of today’s gathering is to plant trees; not just trees, but fruit trees. We are doing this in honor of climate action. We are contributing towards Sustainable Development Goals. By planting trees, we are also contributing towards the aspirations of the National Development Strategy 2 (NDS2), which aspires to ensure that the environment is protected.

“But more importantly, we are creating a future for our children. We are creating a child-friendly environment, a people-centered community. By planting these trees, we are also saying we are here as fellow members of humanity. The refugee community is capable. They have the agency to contribute towards environmental rehabilitation as well as afforestation,” he said.

The tree planting activity was sponsored by Pacific Storm, together with COHERE, as well as TDH Germany. RCCA is advancing climate action and the concept of Agroecology.