Zimbabwe: Grow Trees and Be Heard
On the occasion of Season of Creation 2024, we share stories of the Dominican Sisters in different parts of the world who are taking care of our common home in various ways. Srs. Tendai Makonese and Sarudzai Mutero from the Dominican Sisters in Zimbabwe talk about the Laudato Tree Movement Zimbabwe Project.
Sr. Tendai: “We played the pipe for you, and you did not dance; we sang a song, and you did not mourn.’ (Matthew 11:17)
These words rang in the ears of the Dominican Sisters in Zimbabwe after the call by His Holiness, Pope Francis for the care of our environment. The earth, which Pope Francis describes as ‘the greatest resource which God has given to us and is at our disposal, should not to be disfigured, exploited, and degraded, but should be treated with dignity.’
In order to spread the message of the importance of caring for our common home, the Dominican Sisters in Zimbabwe through their media arm Lifelines together with the Dominican Sisters Justice, Peace and Integrity of Creation Commission embarked on a Laudato Tree Movement Zimbabwe Project. This is an environmental project which aims to plant as many trees as possible and teach young people how to care for our mother earth. This was made possible by the Dominican Sisters in Germany, through Sr Jubilata OP and Friends, who contributed financially towards the successful implementation of the project.
So how did this project go? Train up a child in the way s/he should go and when s/he is old, s/he will not depart from it (Proverbs 22:6). A pilot project at Chivake Primary School in Gutu District, Masvingo Province was started. This school was selected because it is located in a dry area which suffered one of the worst deforestation of our time. For any tree planting project to succeed, a permanent source of water is needed. Therefore, a borehole was drilled and a solar system was installed to draw water underground as this place does not have electricity yet. A water tank and reservoir were erected to store water watering the trees.
A new structure in the village had just sprouted from nowhere. The school, parents and community could not hide their joy as they celebrated and appreciated having clean and safe water for use. It was a relief to the school as teachers and learners would go for kilometers to get water. Even the community was not spare with the ripple benefits of the water source as they could also fetch water from the school. This means the project had killed 2 birds with one stone already.
After the establishment of a water source, it was now time for the learners, staff and community members to be involved.
Sr. Sarudzai: Through the baseline survey done, we realised that a lot of trees need to be planted. The schools requested that we plant 2 types of trees – gum trees and fruit trees. The sisters then added Kenyan Croton tree for shed and for beauty.
Sr. Tendai: They started by preparing the nursery for the seeds which they would plant 10 000 gumtrees and 3 000 pine trees. They then fenced 3 areas – the borehole site, the orchard trees and the plantation. 100 grafted orchard trees were planted for the school to eat and sell if there are any left. To beautify the area, St Dominic Chishawasha chipped in with 700 croton trees which were planted along the road which lead to school and around the school and staff cottage. So at the moment, we are in the process of transplanting the gumtrees and pine trees seedlings and putting them at their permanent land where they can have the freedom to grow and reach the sky. This is a very long process as thousands of trees need to be planted during the rainy season and also when schools are not on holidays.
It was very important that this whole process be filmed and the videos distributed so that people in other communities will be encouraged to follow suit. This is in line with the Laudato Tree Movement mission of “GROW TREES AND BE HEARD.”
The reason behind choosing learners in primary schools is that the project will be implemented by them which will shape their future long after they have completed their studies. It is our prayer and hope that learners will also share the information and knowledge with their families and friends, thus the whole community can participate in the caring of the environment.
Sr. Sarudzai: Once the trees are mature, it means the project is making good progress. The goal of the project is to establish a permanent forest ecosystem, not to grow a temporary plantation that will be cut down. Once the forest is grown, it should be responsibly managed to ensure it delivers benefits for people, wildlife, and the environment for example, this may include timber harvesting, which will be carried out in a sustainable manner that ensures the continued health of the ecosystem
Sr. Tendai: As people of faith, it is our responsibility to care deeply about the natural world. We must do this not only for the environment’s sake, but also as a way of serving mankind. Our interactions with the environment should aim at improving human life and alleviating the sufferings of men, women, and children who have been created in the image of God. In a few years’ time, the face of Chivake Primary School will never be the same again, thanks to Laudato Tree Movement.
Sr. Sarudzai: For those wondering where to begin to pay more attention to care for creation on a daily basis, I say this: start where you are, with one tree, with picking seeds for every tree around you be it fruit tree or any other trees. A seed that come close to the soil will geminate, when it germinates you will know where to plant it. It is in the desire to change your environment positively. Everything else will fall in place.
