The Children in the Wilderness Malawi (CITW) reforestation programme was initiated in 2012 by village children and youth who were wondering how they could contribute to solving the problem of deforestation in their communities.
The children are members of the CITW Malawi Eco-Club and YES (Youth Environmental Stewardship) programmes in partner school catchment areas, and now participate in raising tree seedlings at their local centres every year. They receive training and supervision from forestry experts as part of this reforestation drive.
These seedlings are distributed for free to local communities, who plant them around their homes or agricultural fields. Institutions like schools, clinics, and religious centres are also given seedlings to plant in woodlots.
For the 2024-25 season, CITW aimed to raise 30,000 seedlings. The Nanthomba tree nursery site was set to raise 10,000 seedlings, and Nangondo 20,000 seedlings. However, due to various challenges, including prolonged dry and hot weather, and a shortage of water for the seedlings, Nangondo raised 9,000 seedlings, while Nanthomba managed their meet their quota of 10,000.
Every effort is made to record who the beneficiaries are, how many trees they take and where they plant their trees. The success rate is also recorded, particularly looking at the survival of the trees in the first two years.
CITW launched the 2025 tree-seedling distribution on the 5th of February at the Nanthomba Tree Nursery at Nanthomba Primary School in the TA Kalembo, Balaka District. Over 100 seedlings were given to children and some parents on the launch day. After this time, the local communities and individuals will visit to collect seedlings of their choice for planting.
CITW, with the help of local experts, has put in place ways of following up on the planted trees to enhance their survival rate. CITW aims to achieve a survival rate of at least 75% – or more.
We want to thank our supporters and sponsors for making this event possible, bringing the children to the centre, educating them about natural resources and conservation, training them in reforestation, and encouraging them to take a leadership role in taking action that benefits their communities.
With a good understanding of the importance of trees, these children now want to be part of the solution to reforest their homes, villages, and communities, and improve their general environments.
Report compiled by Symon Chibaka, CITW Malawi Programme Co-ordinator
05/02/2025
