One day I understanding what a tree truly is? It was 0ne early morning in Nyagatama Village filled with warm sunshine mixed with a gentle breeze. As I walked along the road, I observed Community members like women, men, young people, and persons with disabilities planting trees enthusiastically along the roadside. I quietly wondered, “Don’t these people have anything else to do? Why would they wake up so early just to plant trees by the road?” I did not dwell on the thought for long and continued my journey. However, this moment marked the beginning of a deeper understanding of the importance of trees in community development Life.
At that time, I was serving as a Corps Africa volunteer in Nyagatama Village, working closely with youth groups and elders to promote community development using locally available resources. One Friday, while visiting a group of elders to observe their activities, I began to truly understand the meaning and value of a tree.
What surprised me most was discovering that the elders were involved in an avocado tree nursery project. When I arrived, I found them caring for seedlings with great dedication and watering them, protecting them, even assigning a guard to ensure their safety. In my mind, I questioned again their priorities. I assumed they were wasting time and resources. Directly, I concluded silently that this might be the reason behind their poverty. However, I kept these thoughts to myself.
Soon, one elderly woman, calm and cheerful, welcomed me warmly and said, “Volunteer, come and see our avocado project.” I smiled and thanked them for the warm reception. As they explained their work, they shared the importance of tree planting such as protecting the soil, ensuring good harvests, fighting climate change, and providing food for consumption
After that explanations I became curious about avocado seeds. Although I loved more eating avocados than cat, but I had never think about where they came from. That day, I learned the entire value chain of an avocado from seed to seedling to a fruit- to consumers then generates utility and income from avocados. This is the first time, I truly understood the value of planting trees.
I asked again why they had chosen avocado seedlings as a project. They explained that they sell the seedlings to earn income, plant some at home for household consumption, and sell surplus fruits in markets to meet other family needs. This project was not only environmental but it was also economic empowerment.
My curiosity on tree planting was also accumulated. When I returned home, I searched online to learn more about the benefits of avocado to human health, the economy, and the environment. My curiosity about tree planting continued to grow.
The next morning, I met with the Nyagatama youth group and initiated a discussion about trees and their importance. I was surprised to learn that many of them, like me before, they did not understand why trees matter. I shared what I had learned from online research and from the elders’ experiences. Their interest grew immediately.
Shortly after, the youth group president shared his experience in growing coffee, mangoes, and avocados. He explained how agroforestry had improved his income, protected his land from erosion, and allowed him to grow food crops alongside trees without conflict. This is also further deepened my appreciation for trees.
Quickly I got Motivation and decision, to visit his coffee plantation. But I come back to my home and I had deep sleeping with happiness and joyful in my heart due to my curiosity on tree planting. Early the next morning, under the gentle morning sun, my phone rang it was the president inviting me to visit his coffee farm. I picked it he Said, in calm and cheerful Good Morning Volunteer Saphina? I respond to him Good Morning President? He asked me to come and I agreed without hesitation. The journey required climbing a steep hill, which was challenging, but my determination pushed me forward. As the saying goes, “What the heart desires, the Milk was replaced with cigarettes. (icyo umutima ushaka amata aguranwa itabi)
When we arrived, my exhaustion disappeared. Seeing coffee trees with my own eyes, touching them, and tasting fresh coffee beans filled me with joy and inspiration. At that moment, my passion for tree planting became real.
With this knowledge and experience, I later held in-depth discussions with the youth group about the importance of trees. Together, we committed to planting trees so that we could access fruits, breathe clean air, receive rainfall, and protect our soils from erosion.
That is how our initiative was born “My Tree, My Life.”
