Bamenda Kids Plant Trees in Public Spaces, Sensitize Others about Climate Change

After receiving lessons on different climate change challenges in their communities and understanding the role they can play in global fight against climate change, some 50 kids from communities within the Bamenda Highlands were recently engaged in planting trees in public spaces in Bamenda town, and radio sensitization campaign. Organised within the framework of the Climate Action Project dubbed Ecokids implemented by Voice of Nature (VoNat) and Meg Wah with funding from Earth Rising Foundation, the youngsters  planted both ornamental  and economic trees including terminalia (Terminalia ivorensis), grevillea (Grevillea robusta) and guavas (Psidium guajava) in churches and hospitals around their communities.

The tree planting exercise was greatly appreciated by community and religious leaders. “We are very grateful to you for choosing our environment to carry out such a laudable activity. These children will grow knowing the various procedures involved in planting a tree and the importance of trees in our environment,” Camille Paul, a Bamenda-based religious leader said.

The tree planting exercised cemented the lessons acquired on climate change challenges and mitigation strategies in the minds of the children, with many pledging to continue contributing to the fight against climate change in their communities. “I am so happy that I was selected to be part of such an activity in my community. I will henceforth, discourage deforestation and encourage afforestation. Trees have important roles they play in our environment such as shelter and climate change mitigation and therefore, have to be panted and protected,” said Akweseh Peace, while taking part in the tree planting exercise.

The tree planting culminated in a visit to the CBC Radio in Bamenda where the youngsters use short articles, poems, songs, and debate to sensitize the Bamenda population against practices and lifestyles that induce climate change. The kids also recommended best practices that should be upheld to protect the environment, as well as mitigate climate change and its effects.

This year’s edition of the ECOKIDS project marks the beginning of an initiative culminate in raising over 500 young environmental ambassadors in Cameroon by 2025, who will champion the course for a greener, sustainable and safer planet earth.

By Ndimuh B. Shancho