21-06-2016 | di COOPI

Conserving the environment is my role

As Climate Change shocks are affecting several districts in Malawi,  Salima has not been spared. Under the framework of DISCOVER, a five years program funded by DFID, IrishAid, & RNE , COOPI is implementing a set of interventions to reinforce beneficiaries' resilience against Climate Change, amongst which environment conservation through afforestation and reforestation interventions.

At the beginning, when DISCOVER Programme was introduced, Henry Ching'oma a 37 years old man with 7 children from Kalingwe II village, thought that resilience against climate change would not bring a tangible impact. After persistent shocks of disasters through flooding, strong gales and drought across his community bringingseveral damages to households and crops, he realized that all of this  was a consequence of uncontrolled environment resources exploitation and disruption.

"The trees I am planting are cushioning to climate shocks, but they are also my source of income and so far I have sold 12 timber poles costing K1200 each, and the money realized are used for domestic purposes,'' says Henry, who explains how much he is contributing to conserve the environment through practicing Afforestation and Agro-Forestry. Under COOPI supervision and support, in 2014 Henry started planting trees at his home stead and  cultivation lands resulting in 4,000 timber trees and 2,600 Agro forestry trees planted. "I will never forget DISCOVER Programme  because it has changed my personal andCommunity mind set towards environment protection".

By Joel Gift Ngwira