21st March was declared International Day of Forests by the United Nations Assembly in 2012.
Our Laudato Si Group celebrated the day with a gathering at Podogoma Village, near Konzalendo. The local community from Podogoma and Merekafu, along with their chiefs and village heads, welcomed us to the community with singing and dancing at 9.00 a.m. on Saturday morning. We were joined for the occasion by the Traditional Authority – TA Mbawera, the local Councillor, other Chiefs, the CDA Chair from Thyolo, the Forestry Officer from Masambanjati, Agricultural Extension Workers and a Bee-Keeper from Thyolo who has been helping with the Bee farming project in the area.
Following the welcome and introductions to the day the group moved to the recently purchased plot of land for Podogoma Village Forestry Project where we proceeded to plant some trees. Mr. Nyambose, Forestry Officer, explained the correct procedure for tree planting and oversaw the planting by TA Mbawera, Local Councillor and Sr. Mairéad. The Group Village Head also planted along with villagers, so that twenty trees were planted. Mr. Sonjera (Laudato Si Member and Agricultural Extension Worker) and Chief Daniel, Group Village Head, had prepared the holes for the planting earlier in the week.
After the planting exercise we returned to the meeting place and the second part of the exercise, consisting of education with reference to the theme of the day – Forests and Wealth – was conducted. An elderly lady from the village recounted how in earlier days there was plenty of trees in the area and life was better for the people. A younger woman encouraged the people to refrain from practices that are destructive to the area and to value the contribution of trees towards regulating climate, water courses, etc. The Agricultural Extension Workers and Mr. Songwe (Bee Keeper) gave instruction on their area of expertise. Sr. Mairéad said she was very happy that the Sisters and the Laudato Si Group were working together with the villagers on the afforestation and bee-keeping project. People in the area suffer badly from failed crops, house collapses and hunger, so hopefully some of these problems will be mitigated over time with the restoration of tree cover.
The women and youth of the village had prepared a short drama and this was enacted while light refreshments were shared by the participants. The Councillor in her address, before the conclusion, expressed the hope that we would meet again next year and view the development of the forest to date. TA Mbawera spoke of the value of the project to the community and the importance of tree-planting to address the issues of climate change and poverty. Both he and the Councillor praised the Sisters for all they do for the people in Mbawera and other parts of the parish. All in all, the day was deemed a success.
Sr. Mairéad Ní Chuirc
