Regreening projects kick into life

BY STEVE EHRAEM

THE Refugee Child’s Coalition for Climate Action (RCCA) is undertaking various re-greening activities at Tongogara Refugee Camp and in the host communities.

Recently, RCCA entered into a partnership with the Green Institute, which later saw the organisation donating trees to the youth organisation.

The partnership kicked into action on 28 November 2022, when the two organisations held a tree planting exercise in the refugee camp.

A total of eleven members from RCCA and two from the Green Institute, as well as four Tongogara Refugee Camp stakeholders, planted avocado pear trees at the irrigation scheme.

Green Institute Co-Directors, Blessing Matasva and Lloyd Sithole, including other stakeholders namely Wilfred Mapiko from Terre des Hommes, Robson Toronga from the Forestry Commission, Kiwarabilwe Dembure from Childline Zimbabwe, and Wellington Chikandiwa from the Department of Social Development, participated in the planting exercise.

The RCCA team comprised Gawaar Juich, Jeannette Muhimundu, Prince Bashangezi, Celyne Niyonagira, Mbuyi Mutombo, Naomi Divine Mulaya, Pacific Mulaya, Kifara, Gracia Masimango, Mado Singere and Rodger Moyana.

Speaking on the sidelines of the event, Refugee Youth President, Jeannette Muhimundu, said the project aims at mitigating climate change.

“The fruit trees we planted here have several advantages, among them climate change mitigation. They are a sure source of food and nutrition. They serve as windbreaks during storms and help during heat waves,” she said.

Green Institute Co-Director, Blessing Matasva, said, “We have planted avocado trees to demonstrate how to mitigate climate change.”

RCCA Team Leader, Gawaar Juich, said, “We are excited by planting trees in the camp. In addition to climate change mitigation, the trees can provide food and nutrition and also re-green our communities.”

On 1 December 2022, RCCA planted trees at the Transformation Innovation Hub. On 3 December 2022, the organisations planted trees at the Zimbabwe Republic Police base in the camp.