Acting District Development Coordinator (DDC) for Makoni, Loyd Chirombe (centre) being assisted to plant a tree by Tinotenda Makumbe (left) and Ambassador Never Bonde at John Cowie Primary School
BY MUNYARADZI BLESSING DOMA IN RUSAPE
Acting District Development Coordinator (DDC) for Makoni, Loyd Chirombe, has called on communities to plant trees as they improve livelihoods, which resonates well with the aspirations of the World AIDS Day (WAD) campaign.
Chirombe also said improving livelihoods of people living with HIV is in line with this year’s theme of the National Tree Planting Day which states that “Trees and forests for ecosystem restoration and improved livelihoods.”
He revealed this today (Saturday) at John Cowie Primary School in Rusape, during a tree planting ceremony ahead of the National Tree Planting Day which is celebrated on the first Saturday of December.
John Cowie Primary School is set to host this year’s WAD commemorations tomorrow (Sunday) under the national theme, “Take The Rights Path, My Health, My Rights Our Responsibility”.
Said Chirombe: “today, we gather to celebrate our collective commitment to environmental conservation and sustainability.
“This year’s theme is “Trees and forests for ecosystem restoration and improved livelihoods” and in line with the WAD, this aims to improve livelihoods of people with HIV and AIDS.
“As we plant these trees, we are not just beautifying our surroundings; we are investing in our future. We are acknowledging the critical role that trees play in supporting life on Earth,” said Chirombe.
He added that tree planting was not just about the environment, but was also about the economy and communities.
Chirombe further revealed that trees can provide income-generating opportunities through sustainable forest management, ecotourism and non-timber forest products.
“As we celebrate this National Tree Planting Day, I urge you all to remember that every small action counts. Every tree we plant, every seedling we nurture, and every forest we protect brings us closer to a more sustainable future.
“To the children and youth, I say to you that you are the future stewards of our planet. I encourage you to take ownership of this responsibility and to become champions of environmental conservation.
“Let us work together to build a future where our environment, economy, and communities thrive in harmony,” said Chirombe.
National AIDS Council (NAC) Provincial Manager for Manicaland, Artwell Shiridzinomwa, said the tree planting ceremony was quite a noble thing as trees resemble life.
“We are saying as the coordinator of the national response of HIV and AIDS, we signify the trees as life in terms of our people living with HIV that yes they might be infected with HIV but there is life after the infection if they follow the protocol and also get immune programmes of HIV antiretroviral therapy.
“So we resonate very well with this occasion of planting trees as a significance of life.
“And we also see our theme, it also gives encouragement and life for those who are affected or infected by HIV,” said Shiridzinomwa.
Tinotenda Makumbe, Makoni District Forestry Extension Officer at the Forestry Commission, said the livelihoods component of this year’s National Tree Planting Day theme resonates well with people living with HIV because as they eat fruits, they enhance their livelihoods.
Tree planting Ambassador Never Bonde said it was everyone’s responsibility to plant trees for future generations and this should be practised regularly.
Several Syzygium cordatum (mukute) trees were planted during the tree planting ceremony.
This article is a great reminder of the importance of planting trees for both the environment and our livelihoods. Small actions like these can have a big impact on our future. Speaking of positive initiatives, events like the Telkom University Jakarta also contribute to building a healthier and more sustainable community.