Food & Trees for Africa

Go Food & Trees for Africa

INTRODUCTION

Food & Trees for Africa (FTFA) is the first and only South African social enterprise addressing greening, climate change action, food security, sustainable natural resource use and management, with a strong focus on environmental and global warming education and awareness.

FTFA’s mission is to contribute to a healthy and sustainable quality of life for all through environmental awareness and greening programmes. Through sponsors like Audi South Africa, FTFA is able to accomplish its mission and fulfill its objectives through the planting of trees and the transfer of skills and knowledge to the community of Olivenhoutbosch through training workshops and ongoing support.

The objectives are:

· To contribute to greening, sustainable natural resource management and food security
· To create an awareness of the benefits of environmental upliftment activities amongst all communities of southern Africa
· To work in partnership with government, the private sector and civil societyTo contribute to the design, implementation and management of sustainable greening projects
· To alleviate poverty, develop skills and contribute food security for the numerous communities that apply for assistance
FTFA’s objectives are being realized because of the generosity of sponsors like Audi South Africa who so generously funded 6500 trees to the community of Olivenhoutbosch through FTFAs Trees for Homes programme.

Trees for Homes is a highly successful and innovative public greening initiative that contributes nationally in a visible way to more sustainable development and enhanced environments. Trees for Homes started in 2000 and aims to address climate change whilst improving quality of life and contributing to the development of sustainable settlements by giving low-income communities trees to plant at their homes, as well as providing training, some employment and environmental awareness. Environmental issues are inherently linked with quality of life.

Environmentally sound human settlements, where air quality is good, housing is energy and water efficient, and planting provides green ‘lungs’ or even food security, may be seen as healthy, sustainable settlements that support quality living environments.

The Trees for Home programme contributes directly to improved access to environmentally sustainable housing for the historically disadvantaged majority. The programme’s activities provide non-credit assistance (primarily trees, information and training support) to communities for the purpose of improving their capacity to plant and maintain trees in their neighbourhoods.

It also enhances the participation of low-income communities in local level decision-making and in improving environmental management capacity by forging new partnerships between provincial and municipal representatives, and communities.

Since its inception the Trees for Homes programme has organised the planting of over 450 000 trees and training of over 5 400 community based educators at settlements across South Africa, thus creating well spaced urban forest that addresses climate change, adds value in shade and food production as well as a multitude of environmental best practices.

Aims and objectives of the Trees for Homes Programme

Trees for Homes aims to improve quality of life and contribute to the development of sustainable settlements by providing low-income communities with indigenous and fruit trees to plant at their homes, training, some employment and environmental awareness which will:
· improve air quality and contribute to climate change through carbon sequestration;
· provide food in the form of fruit;
· improve the thermal efficiency of the unit;
· provide a potential source of food (in the case of fruit trees);
· improve the economic (resale) value of the unit;
· provide shade;
· assist with drainage;
· decrease noise pollution;
· help to settle dust;
· contribute to soil management and reduce run off;
· develop green suburbs and contribute to civic pride;
· provide a habitat for wildlife and improved biodiversity;
· contribute to economic development and creation of jobs at a local level by coordinating with local emerging nursery businesses;
· provide skills and training for Community Based Educators (CBEs);
· provide some job opportunities for CBEs;
· increase environmental awareness through the CBEs locally and the publicity campaign nationally;
· improve the aesthetics of these suburbs;
· develop sustainable human settlements.
The impacts are measured by tracking the number of communities where the programme is being implemented, and documenting impacts the programme has on these.

The objectives are:

· To contribute to the government's urban renewal, greening, climate change, LandCare and urban forestry programmes.
· To deliver at least one tree per low cost housing unit.
· To provide instructions on the planting and care of the trees.
· To promote the value of urban greening and greater environmental awareness.
· To provide further information on gardening for new and existing homeowners.
· To contribute towards the development of emerging nursery businesses.
· To contribute to food security in the case of fruit trees being distributed.
· To facilitate better relations between communities and their local authorities.

SCOPE OF THE PROJECT

In terms of numbers, the Greening Olivenhoutbosch aimed to deliver 6000 trees to low cost housing units in Olivenhoutbosch. These trees will result in 2.255 tons of carbon dioxide being sequestrated. (Number of trees divide by 2.66 = tons of carbon dioxide sequestrated).

The average low cost house is sited on 250m². One hectare is equal to 10 000m². There are therefore 40 houses per hectare with one tree per household.6000 households multiplied by 250m² = 1500000 m². It can therefore be said that through this project 150 hectares of trees have been planted. The delivery of trees and increased environmental awareness for beneficiaries is the primary output of the project.