A long history of poor land management, overpopulation, and ethnic conflicts has
devastated the environment and the lives of the local people, Read more . . .
Our Response
We began working in Burundi in 1996, supporting small community reforestation projects. Since 2008, TREES has partnered with Hope for Burundi (HFB). HFB’s approach — utilizing trees to reclaim degraded lands, feed starving people, and provide a source of income — has effectively brought together people and cultures who have been in conflict for many years. Read more . . .
Program Update
After implementing 5 workshops with 60 community leaders in 2010, The Trees for the Future Burundi Program has had another successful project year. Read more . . .
Overview of Social and Environmental Issues
A long history of poor land management, overpopulation, and ethnic conflicts has devastated the environment and the lives of the local people, most of whom are dependent on the land for their livelihoods. Moreover, the AIDS epidemic and scars from past conflicts continues to prevent many families from taking the steps to improve their own lives.
Our Response
We began working in Burundi in 1996, supporting small community reforestation
projects. Since 2008, TREES has partnered with Hope for Burundi (HFB). HFB’s
approach — utilizing trees to reclaim degraded lands, feed starving people, and provide a
source of income — has effectively brought together people and cultures who have been
in conflict for many years. A strong focus has been placed on the planting of Moringa
oleifera and fast growing firewood species, such as Leucaeana spp. and Albizia spp. In a
country where 57% of children under 5 suffer from chronic malnutrition, Moringa, also
called “the miracle tree,” boasts twice the calcium of milk and four times the Vitamin A
of carrots. With scarce land resources, planting multi-purpose tree species near people’s
farms will provide readily accessible firewood and livestock fodder, while providing the
added benefit of green manure to the soil.
Additionally, Hope for Burundi has brought Hutu and Tutsi together has administered
community training in non-violent communication to promote Burundian solidarity.
Along with non-violent communication, people are being educated about agroforestry
technologies and sustainable agriculture practices to improve yields.
March 2011
After implementing 5 workshops with 60 community leaders
in 2010, The Trees for the Future Burundi Program has had another successful project
year. 9 community nurseries have been established in Kirundo, Makamba and Ruyigi
Provinces, which includes over 1,100 people participating in the tree planting project.
Over 130,000 seedlings were successfully transplanted in 2010. There are plans to plant
at least 150,000 seedlings in 2011.
