Partnership and a pilot project is to start soon with Save Mount Kenya Forest from Extinction Group:

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Save Mount Kenya Forest from Extinction Group

P.o. Box 62343-00200, Nairobi, Kenya

TEL: 254723469909,

Email:info.mtkenya@gmail.com

Introduction

Save Mount Kenya forest from extinction group was formed in the year 2005 and registered

in 2007 with the Ministry of Gender, Sports, Culture and Social Services. The group was

formed to address environmental degradation and poverty affecting the districts of Meru

South and Embu in Kenya. At present, Kenya’s forest cover is less than 2% and Mount Kenya

Forest constitutes some of the most significant reserves of remaining forestland in the

country. Save Mount Kenya is promoting tree planting, protection of water catchment areas

and sustainable farming practices in order to reduce pressure on natural forests. Local people

are being trained on new farming techniques such as agro forestry that reduces soil erosion,

increases soil fertility and crop yields, and promotes food security and environmental

restoration

Group sign board located near the tree nursery

Through its activities the group is addressing the following problems:

Deforestation: Mount Kenya has lost about 30% of its forest cover through various illegal

activities such as timber harvesting, shamba systems, charcoal burning and poles collection.

This is threatening wildlife living in the forest.

Decreases in water volume: Mount Kenya forests act as water catchment areas to many

rivers that over the years have seen decreases in water volume due to loss of forest cover.

This is leading to water conflicts among communities.

Poverty: Most communities living in the area are poor because of unsustainable methods of

farming which have caused massive soil erosion and infertility.

Food insecurity: Most communities living in the area are suffering from

diminishing food crop productivity due to lack of proper knowledge on how

to farm sustainably

How we implement our project:

The group’s objective is to reduce pressure on remaining forests by meeting the growing

demand for firewood/charcoal that has led to massive deforestation. This is accomplished

through an ambitious tree planting efforts that provide alternatives to harvesting indigenous

forests. It draws on the strengths and contributions of science, civil society and business.

The problem with most reforestation programs in Africa is that once the trees are grown the

people cut them because they still have no income and need charcoal to cook. The program

aims to:

(A)Educate and empower communities concerning the environment and their rights,

through seminars and trainings undertaken every two months.

One of the training held to empower communities concerning environmental

conservation

(B) Improve healthcare through the use of medicinal plants such as Neem and Moringa

oleifera.

Moringa oleifera is know as miracle tree which has very many uses ranging from boosting

immune system of the body, curing many diseases as well as water purification. The group is

promoting growing moringa oleifera among the communities and school children in the area.

Moringa oleifera tree miracle tree

(C) Prevent deforestation through community forest policing aimed at making sure that each

and every person participates in tree planting activities and reports illegal activities taking

place inside the forest.

Group members undertaking reforestation of Mount Kenya forest they are planting

seedlings inside Mount Kenya forest

(D) Reforest Mount Kenya and restore important ecosystems providing habitat for

endangered animals.

(E)Raise the incomes of local farmers through activities such as

beekeeping, horticulture and other income generating activities.

Group tradition beehive: Save Mount Kenya group own these 10 traditional beehives

which give an average of 7 kilograms of honey per duration of 4-6 months. The group is

intending to purchase modern beehives which will give an average of 10-15 kilograms of

honey.

(F)Provide food and energy sources by implementing agroforestry technologies (live fences,

windbreaks, firebreaks, alley cropping, forest gardens and contours farming).

One of the agroforestry technologies windbreaks protecting tea bushes the photo

shows tree planted in a line to protect these tea bushes from strong winds. The group is

undertaking agro forestry technologies trainings.

(G)Improve access to clean water by protecting water catchment areas and

planting trees along riverbanks and water sources.

The group is also protecting water catchment areas through tree plant along river banks.

This photo shows an exposed river through cultivating near river banks.

All this has been achieved through the following activities

Growing trees: The group has one nursery and has partnered with over 20 smaller groups

within the area who also have tree nurseries. Multi purpose fast growing tree species are

being grown and used for reforestation of Mount Kenya and for planting on farms. All

community members are being involved and each one is receiving 50 free seedlings to plant

on their farms.

Agroforestry trainings: The group is undertaking agroforestry technologies’ trainings

aimed at equipping the community with improved methods of farming that will restore the

soil and lead to increases in food crop production and livestock keeping. Two types of

trainings are planned: on-farm and nursery establishment. Trainers are trained, and they in

turn train farmers and community members. Institutions such as the Ministry of Agriculture

and Kenya’s Agricultural Research Institute are sources of knowledge and consultation.

Advanced trainings: The community is trained on the importance of planting medicinal

trees such as Arbugia ugandensis, Prunus africana, Azadirachta indica (Neem) and Moringa

oleifera; and on how to use them to cure various diseases. This is leading to improved health

care and income.

Biofuels: Growing biofuel plants such as Jatropha curcas, castor seeds and Croton

megalocarpus provide clean energy and alternatives to using wood, coal and fossil fuels.

Communities are being trained and given seeds for this purpose and are generating income

through the sale of biofuels

Intended project

Save Mount Kenya Forest from Extinction group is launching a moringa

oleifera planting project with schools children here in Kenya. This program

will be undertaken in two districts i.e. Embu and Meru South and from

there it will expand to other schools in different areas. The project is

intended to equip school children while they are young with knowledge

concerning this important miracle tree which has not yet been exploited.

According to scientific studies carried on moringa tree, it has been found to

perform the following:

(A) Curing of over more than 300 diseases ranging from boils, sprains, colds, conjunctivis,

abdominal discomfort, hysteria, skin rashes, toothaches, rheumatism, aching feet and

relapsing.

(B) Water treatment and purification from crushed seeds

(C) Meeting nutritional needs because it contains all essentials amino acids and vitamins:

Nutritional analysis has shown that Moringa leaves are extremely nutritious. In fact, they

contain larger amounts of several important nutrients than the common foods often

associated with these nutrients. These include vitamin C, which fights a host of illnesses

including colds and flu; vitamin A, which acts as a shield against eye disease, skin disease,

heart ailments, diarrhea, and many other diseases; Calcium, which builds strong bones and

teeth and helps prevent osteoporosis; Potassium, which is essential for the functioning of the

brain and nerves, and Proteins, the basic building blocks of all our body cells.

(D) Combat malnutrition especially among infants and nursing mothers: this is through

providing Calcium, which builds strong bones and teeth and helps prevent osteoporosis;

Potassium, which is essential for the functioning of the brain and nerves, and Proteins, the

basic building blocks of all our body cells.

The project is intended to achieve the following among the school going children’s:

(A) Boost their immune system against diseases: Most children’s at their tender age are

prone to various diseases, moringa oleifera plant will be intended to boost the immune

system of these school going children.

(B)Treat their drinking waters for their domestic use: Most school going children don’t have

access to clean water, moringa oleifera crushed seeds are used for water purification

separating dirt and clean water and will be used to clean their drinking water.

(C) Enhance their nutrition value: Moringa oleifera leaves, flowers and pods are full of

nutrients and vitamins which are good for diseases prevention and will be able to give these

school children an added nutritional value

(D) Combat malnutrition among school going children: Most children in

African countries don’t have access to good diet. Through use of moringa

tree products like leaves and pods, they will be able to improve their diets.

Project implementation:

(A) Buying seeds from certified seeds merchant like Kenya Forest

Seeds Centre

(B)Establishing nurseries to raise moringa oleifera seedlings which in return will be

planted in school and others shared among school going children to plant in their farms.

(C)More than 10 schools in two districts will be involved with this project for the start.

(D)Transportation of seedlings from nurseries to schools from where they will be shared

among school children and others planted in their school.

Save Mount Kenya Forest from Extinction group is seeking to partner with various

international organization involved with tree planting activities’, those empowering most

vulnerable peoples in the communities including children and women’s as well as

improving welfare of peoples from developing countries. This is through sharing

information and knowledge concerning project from these countries, financial support,

technical advices and many more other resourceful information. This will also provide

tools that will allow our organization to connect with next generations of socially aware

and active groups or organization impacting the world on social and environmental issues.

This will help our organization to achieve it goals and objectives of tree planting, agroforestry

trainings and conservations, improving communities’ living standards, improving health of

school going children and their parents.

Thank you.

Paulino Damiano.

Coordinator

Save Mount Kenya Forest from Extinction Group

Group Certificate of registration 

 

 

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