Olievenhoutbosch (Audi Sponsored Tree Distribution by FTFA event)

The residents listening carefully to what was said to them

It was a beautiful cloudy day at Olievenhoutbosch Community, north of Gauteng. The residents turned up for the tree distribution event in numbers to take their trees. Some arrived as early as 08h00 and waited patiently in an open space by the church tent. Threatening rain couldn't stop them. The event was organized by Food & Trees for Africa and sponsored by Audi. This day marked the 40th anniversary of Earth day.

Trees for life

Food and Trees for Africa was represented by Solomon Mondlane and Mooko Chaaka (Both Community Foresters) who were later joined by their Programme Manager, Joanne Rolt. Unfortunately we had no representative from Audi. The community was represented by the Community Based Educators (CBEs) who were trained to monitor the progress of trees in the community. We had 11 of them on the site.

"No matter how small I am, I need trees"

At about 09h00 the number of people increased. The programme was set to start at 09h30 with a total number of 500 trees that were to be distributed. Trees were off loaded from the nursery truck by the CBEs.

Our guest Nosipho having fun with the little ones!

Mooko Chaka started the day’s programme by welcoming the residents of Olievenhoutbosch and thanking them for their commitment in greening of their community. She then introduced the FTFA staff members, the CBEs and our guest, Nosipho (Poet).

"This is how we plant a tree..." Mooko trying so hard to get the message to the community members.

Mooko introduced a competition with the aim of finding out how much knowledge they had about today’s day. She then came up with questions; and would pick anyone to answer, and the winner was rewarded with an orange and seeds packet.

"What day is it today?” she asked. People had no idea that today is earth day. “What is climate change?” she continued throwing questions at the residents. “It is the abnormal changes of the weather. It is when in winter you experience summer conditions; and in summer you experience winter conditions,” Said one gentleman who came forward to take his orange and seeds packet as a reward.

Mooko enjoyed what she was doing, asking them environmental related questions. The residents also enjoyed responding and getting fruits and seeds.

After the competition, Solomon Mondlane explained more to the community about FTFA and its functions. He also told them why trees were much important in our community. He encouraged the community to take care of their trees and to protect the planet.

The community was introduced to our guest, Nosipho who entertained them with a well written poetry. It was like the trees could speak. She turned herself to be a tree, a tree that was not treated in a right manner even though it had many functions in this planet. After the poem, the residents were amazed and you could see on their faces that each one of them was willing to have a tree planted in his/her yard.

Mooko then began with a demonstration on how to plant a tree. He explained to the community how a tree is planted and maintained. She also explained how the CBEs would work with them.
The CBEs were called in to arrange their people per the invitations they handed out. We had almost 9 queues lining up for trees.

Hell broke loose as the residents approached forward to pick up trees by force. The Community Foresters, the Programme Manager and the CBEs had their hands full trying to push back a group of people who were pushing forward without control.

Seeing the situation, the community Foresters and CBEs moved back and allowed the people to pick their trees. Solomon shouted instructions appealing to the community to take one tree per person.

As the people were dispersing one by one, with more or less 200 trees remaining, the community foresters re-arranged the groups to queue in a proper way.

It felt great to see every community member carrying his/her own tree heading home with joy.
Overall, the event was a great success.

Joanne Rolt and Solomon Mondlane ensured that the event was captured on camera.