Planting trees of hope in Tanzania, Africa: The Kwimba Reforestation Project Case Study Click on the following links for further information about this case study: Teacher's Notes Student Activities Introduction The Wasukuma people of Kwimba, near Lake Victoria in Tanzania, are mainly cattle and goat herders. They also grow food crops for themselves, and cash crops such as cotton. The people rely on good rainfall over a six-month period to enable them, their farm animals and plants, and the natural environment to survive through a period of around six months without rain. Similar styled houses are found throughout the Kwimba region.   Until a few years ago, the people were living in a 'savanna' type region - a place where there are very few trees. The soil had become severely eroded due to the farming and the trampling of animals. It was fine and loose because there were no tree roots to hold it together. There were few fallen leaves to return nutrients to the soil or protect it. During windstorms, the soil would blow away; during heavy rains, it would wash away. The land was becoming less able to feed the people and animals, as well as provide a home for native plants and animals. The main surviving trees were mango trees as well as hardy, thorny scrub-like bushes. The mango trees had been protected because of their fruit. But there were once many more trees in the Kwimba region. Deforestation There are many reasons for the disappearance of other trees over the past century and no one reason can be said to be fully responsible: Much of the timber has been cut for fuelwood to meet the cooking and heating needs of the growing population. (Women and children are the traditional collectors of wood. As the population has grown, women and children have needed to cut more wood and walk longer distances to collect it) Some people believe that evil spirits live in birds, such as owls, or in the trees themselves. Therefore the people believe that removing trees keeps the evil spirits away. (The Kwimba people do not plant a tree that has a nutritious purple fruit because of the belief that the tree's evil spirits cause children to fall when picking the fruit) Landowners remove trees so there is more land on which to grow food and cash crops Native trees attract birds that eat food and cash crops. Some farmers remove trees to discourage birds The tsetse fly used to be common and cause 'sleeping sickness'. Many trees were cut so the fly would not have a breeding ground In the past, vegetation was cleared so that surprise attacks by other cattle herding people could be spotted before the enemies reached the area. The Kwimba Project Since 1991, more than 6.4 million multi-purpose trees, including the fast-growing Australian eucalypts, have been planted in forty villages through the Kwimba Reforestation Project funded by the Australian Government's Overseas Aid Program. The survival rates of the trees have varied from about 75 per cent in drought years to 90 per cent in good years. At all times, the Australian project staff have worked as partners with the people of Kwimba, ensuring that the project involves all people working equally for the best possible future for the region. The project has helped the people of Kwimba in many ways: Men and women have learned forestry through workshops and reading and picture materials. They have planted and cared for the trees and seen their work as important for their survival today and for their children's future Tree nurseries are now operated by different community groups, such as church and youth groups, and primary schools Wells have been built near schools to supply water for nurseries. The better water supply also assists the school in other ways Women, who do all the cooking, have worked to design new ceramic and mud outdoor stoves that use less wood - up to 50 per cent less than traditional types - and provide safe, clean burning. By 1997, new stoves were being used in almost 90 per cent of homes in the region, and their use was spreading beyond the project area. A planting on community land adjacent to a granite outcrop.   Women and children now have more wood to collect and do not need to walk so far. They have built up reserves in case of years of drought. They now have more time to spend on other aspects of their lives, such as caring for themselves and their families, and attending school for longer. They are helping themselves and other Tanzanian girls and women enjoy the same rights as boys and men, and are involved in other development projects Villagers have discovered medicines and veterinary products in the new trees. They have also found that burning the eucalyptus leaves keeps mosquitoes away Some farmers have turned to growing and selling tree seedlings; others are selling timber for poles, building material and furniture in small businesses. Both men and women have accepted that their trees are growing for their use and will not be taken away - either to Australia or by the central Tanzanian Government. 'Tree Ownership Certificates' have built confidence. These provide ownership for the trees separate from the land on which they are grown. Tanzanian law makes it very difficult for women to own land, so the certificates help women gain ownership of the trees. Men also welcome the certificates. They are signed by a local official of the Government of Tanzania and give full rights to the trees and their sale A certificate of tree ownership given to all villagers who carefully plant and maintain their own trees. It has made people more interested in growing trees and given them a feeling that they really own the trees.   There are long-term economic benefits for thousands of people who, for the first time, have some financial security. (Most Wasukuma people's financial security is the 'walking' bank account - animals of some kind that they call upon in times of emergency and celebration. Now they have a 'standing' bank account - trees.) Tree planting has begun in at least ten villages outside the initial project area, with little or no assistance from the Kwimba project management. This is a good example of the 'ripple effect'. There are also plans to encourage the growing of fruit trees. But, beyond the trees: The project has emphasized cooperation and democratic decision-making, between two countries (Tanzania and Australia) and the people of the Kwimba region A peaceful, happier and more prosperous future for the people has been created A system of justice (economic, social and between men and women) now provides greater equality for the people An environmentally sustainable way of approaching development has begun and is developing momentum in the Kwimba region - and beyond. Top © Commonwealth of Australia