Kamuli school embraces climate change fight
Sep 09, 2023
Hadijah Bafumba, the teacher in charge of the Green School Project, says the students themselves go out into the neighborhood and gather the seedlings for the project.
Environment Club members attend a lecture on environmental conservation.
Tom Gwebayanga
Journalist @New Vision
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The mini-gate to the girls’ dormitory at St Peter’s Secondary School, Namwendwa in the Kamuli district, which is adorned from top to bottom with plastic bottles, is what signals the activities of the Green Schools Project upon arriving at the school.
The elegance of the gate and the presence of live hedges on the walkways leading to the administration building and the science laboratory are examples of the student’s contributions to the greening initiatives.
Eucalyptus, native Musizi, jackfruit, and mango trees, some of which were only planted a couple of months ago, dot the compound like a floral carpet.
Two students will unlock the adorned gate for you. Near the girls’ dormitories, there is a cot available for use.
Hadijah Bafumba, the teacher in charge of the Green School Project, says the students themselves go out into the neighborhood and gather the seedlings for the project.
“The seeds are sourced from the community and potted in polyethylene bags containing soil mixed with organic manure,” Bafumba adds.
“The bags are then placed in a greenhouse. When the seedlings are ready to be transplanted, they are handed to the student’s parents for the students to plant at their homes.
Giving out seedlings
The club gives free seedlings to parents, as well as community members and local leaders during events such as visitation days and annual general meetings.
Bafumba says the practice has spurred parents to request additional seedlings to grow in their homes.
The Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) of the United Nations and Vision Group are working together on the Green Schools initiative.
The government of Sweden provides the funding for it. Its primary goals are to encourage the preservation of natural resources and lessen the negative effects of climate change.
At the beginning of this academic year, members of the school’s environment club established four tree nurseries, each containing close to 1,000 seedlings.
At the end of the first term, on Parents’ Day, the club gave a presentation on the project to the parents. Trust Kitalima, the assistant head girl at the school and a member of the environment club, says the project is transforming them into environmentalists and businesspeople.
“In addition to reading the Green UG pullout during the weekly march, we also hold open talks on the subject of tree planting. The discussions bring to light the significance of reforestation, the perils of environmental degradation, and strategies for preserving the natural world and mitigating the effects of climate change,” she says.
Chaxton Waiswa, a teacher at the school, applauds the effort and says ever since it started, locals in the communities around the school have been asking them for seedlings. Even though it is a wonderful thing, the increased attention has presented some difficulties.
“Twice, unknown individuals have stolen seedlings from our nursery. During the night, they steal the seedlings,” Bafumba says.
Parents speak out
Nalongo Aidha Kuzaala, a parent from Kyeeya village, says on parents’ day, she received three seedlings, which she had already planted.
Moses Balina, a parent from Kyeeya, says the initiative is adding value to the lives of many people. He says the students have been able to influence their parents’ mindsets.
Aggrey Magoola Talenga, the headteacher, says the club has opened doors for environmental awareness. Students have learned how to prepare seeds and plant them.
“We have taught them that tree planting is a business they can undertake to generate income,” Talenga adds.
Samuel Bakaaki, the Kamuli district environmental officer, says when one plants trees they are creating wealth. He says this explains why people are interested in seedlings.
Charles Maxwell Muguude Kuwembula, the Kamuli LC5 chairperson, promised to provide logistical assistance and seedlings through the environmental office to schools that take part in the greening project.
In the past, much of the school was bare land, but now the compound has more vegetation. Along the school’s boundaries, fruit trees have been planted, which is a strong indicator that the students will have access to fruits, which will help them fight hunger and improve their overall health.
Bafumba says they want to give each of the 730 students in Namwendwa town council five seedlings to meet their annual goal of planting 8,000 trees in the area.
In the same manner, each of the 36 instructors will get 10 seedlings throughout the academic year, which will result in the planting of more than 100 trees on their properties each year.
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