Kamonyi: Global Civic Sharing supporting community in response to climate change effects
Global Civic Sharing (GCS), an international non-governmental organization (INGO) that is committed to promoting sustainable development through assisting the poor in developing nations and civil society empowerment is helping the community in Kamonyi District to fight against climate change effects.
The organization is promoting erosion control measures by providing them with agroforestry trees and tree nursery management skills.
The support of trees comes at the time Rwanda is currently in the middle of a rainy season in which a new tree planting season for 2022/2023 has been launched.
Dr. Jeanne d’Arc Mujawamariya, Minister of Environment, said that planting those trees is an investment to ensure climate resilience in the future.
Speaking during the official launch of the season to plant 36 million trees, she said that trees play a significant role in the fight against climate change, biodiversity loss, and air pollution.
She has urged everyone in Rwanda to plant a tree in order to save the future.
In line with this call, in partnership with Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) Global Civic Sharing is intervening in five cells of Kamonyi District’s Nyarubaka Sector. The trees planting event takes place on Tuesday, 15 November 2022 in Nyarubaka Sector, Kamonyi District, and later trees were distributed to residents.
The residents of Kambyeyi and Gitare cells are planting greveria and Calliandra trees from three tree nurseries.
Emmanuel Mbonigaba, is one of the farmer field school (FFS) facilitators who received tree nursery management training from Global Civil Sharing.
He is one of 1, 336 Nyarubaka sector residents who have formed 40 savings and loan groups with the assistance of this NGO. In their farm and livestock groups, they also receive agricultural training and agro-inputs.
Mbonigaba explained that FFS facilitators gained tree nursery management knowledge through farm groups designed to assist citizens in making tree nurseries, and planting and growing these trees.
Justine Mukankusi , 62, from Tugirubukire Group of Kigwene village received 30 Grevillea trees.
“We are planting trees in order to produce wood and timber. Furthermore, as the trees grow, they will produce charcoal,”
she said.
Esther Mukansanga ,25, hopes that the erosion could no longer affect the areas where they have planted those trees.
“The trees are sources of rainfall and play a role in climate change mitigation,” she said.
According to Claude Havugimana of Kirwa Village of Kambyeyi cell and Munyaneza Protogene of Mugereke Village of Gitare cell, agroforestry will also be used to feed their livestock.
As the facilitators informed them, they believe those trees will also improve soil fertility.
In its project, Global Civic Sharing has prepared 30,000 agroforestry trees that will be given to 1, 336 saving groups members divided into 40 groups from five cells according to Irene Ibarushakugena who is in charge of agriculture and animal husbandry.
She added that the organization has planned tree planting for a variety of reasons.
“It is a strategic approach for safeguarding the land by controlling erosion and protecting the environment while increasing production. It will provide them with clean air to breathe. Besides fighting against climate change, the trees will serve as woods and timbers, charcoal, among other things,” she said.
The Country Representative of Global Civic Sharing, Mr. Aimable TWAGIRAYEZU appreciates the efforts of Rwanda Government in fight against climate change. He also urges project recipients to profit this occasion to better improve their production.
“We know that Rwandan Government through Ministry of Environment, Rwanda Environment Management Authority-REMA- and other Institutions, is doing all the best to fight against climate change, which is the cross-cutting issue. As a development partner, we are delighted to join hands with government in this prospectus. That is why we planned this activity”
Says Aimable TWAGIRAYEZU, country Representative of GCS
“We also encourage the Project participants and non-beneficiaries to plant as many trees as possible, maintain them regularly for the sake of erosion control among others.”
he adds
Global Civic Sharing was founded in 1998 and has its headquarters in South Korea. It operates in Vietnam, East Timor, Mongolia, Rwanda, Ethiopia, Myanmar, and Kenya.
The organization’s objectives include carrying out development assistance projects, supporting civil-society empowerment, providing emergency relief assistance, supporting the victims of natural disasters and conflicts, and encouraging participation in the global exchange movement.
Ntakirutimana Deus
