Ecosystems are the foundation of community health.
-Tabi Joda
“If I can create employment for 20 people, it must be possible to create many more jobs and provide a viable living that will keep our youth here and discourage them from risking their lives elsewhere.”
Trees planted by One Billion Trees for Africa are now delivering vital ecosystem services and green growth opportunities such as fruits, medicine, and organic food products
Trees planted by One Billion Trees for Africa Great Green Wall are now delivering vital ecosystem services and green growth opportunities such as fruits, medicine, and organic food products that certifiably improve income and livelihood options of rural families – creating resilience in an uncertain future.
In the first big push of the organization’s planting schemes, and estimated one million trees were planted, intermixed with kola nuts, cashews and avocados. 20 people were employed, and as the projects continue to extend in scope, more and more youth and women are recruited from the community to produce an entire range of value-added plant-based products emerging from the forest, from skin care products derived from avocado, kennel and castor oils, as well as supplements such as moringa powder.
“If I can create employment for 20 people, it must be possible to create many more jobs and provide a viable living that will keep our youth here and discourage them from risking their lives elsewhere,” One Billion Trees Founder Joda said when interviewed following his first major venture. “I want to stop people from being climate refugees.”
Joda has since taken this initiative on the road, spending time with farmers and communities across the continent, from Burkina Faso all the way to Uganda. Among the accolades he has received for his efforts are his inclusion in 2019 as an ambassador of the African Forest Landscape Restoration Initiative.
