I never imagined I’d one day lead a tree nursery project, especially not one involving the youth. But sometimes, the most meaningful experiences begin with a simple, hesitant thought. 

When I arrived in my community, I quickly noticed something remarkable— environmental conservation efforts were already underway. Tree nurseries existed, and local residents were actively involved. Still, one group was missing from the picture— the youth. That absence sparked a simple yet powerful question: What if we established a tree nursery led entirely by young people? One that will not only contribute to afforestation but also create economic opportunities for them. 

I reached out to several young people, shared the idea and to my surprise, they seemed interested. I wasn’t exactly an expert in tree nursery management, but with scribbled notes from a pre-service training session and a strong determination to learn, we took the first steps. Initially, the turnout of the youth was high, and together we constructed the nursery shed, filled the pots and got our hands dirty. But as the initial excitement faded, so did the numbers. Some members expected quick incentives— T-shirts, allowances— and when those didn’t come, they walked away.

We were left with a team of fewer than ten, but what we lacked in numbers, we made up for in commitment. These young people showed up consistently, motivated by the vision we had started together. Their perseverance became my motivation. With growing knowledge, thanks to local experts and hands-on experience, we pushed forward. We sowed seeds, tended to them with care, and gradually watched them grow into healthy seedlings. In time, we not only reached our target of having 1,500 tree seedlings, we exceeded it.   

Today, those seedlings have been distributed and planted throughout the community. Others have been sold, generating income and proving environmental action that is both sustainable and profitable. 

Looking back, what started as a simple idea became a project filled with purpose, learning and impact. It was never just about trees; it was about growth— personal growth, community growth and the kind of green growth our country desperately needs.