News: December 2004 - Environment

ENVIRONMENT

The Start

Malawi is a beautiful country but, like many parts of the world, the pressure on the environment from human habitation is tremendous. Malawi was full of forests but these are being destroyed alarmingly quickly with no thought for the future. On our recent visit, in October, we were horrified to see that a beautiful mature tree near Mwaya Beach Lodge had been felled just for firewood. This tree is the reason for the start of an ambitious programme to replant trees in the local area and educate the local people to live in harmony with their surroundings, thus protecting the beauty as well as improving agriculture locally.

The Problems!

1.	Firewood: Large amounts of wood are needed every day to satisfy the simple need of cooking.
2.	Slash and burn: To clear the forest for agriculture (the land is normally exhausted after 2 to 3 years and a new area is then cleared).
3.	Removal of bark around the base of large trees ('ringing'): This is done on purpose to kill the tree so that crops can grow underneath it.
4.	Bush fires: These are started all over the country towards the end of the dry season. This practice kills young trees, degrades the soil and uses up a wonderful resource that could be composted and used to improve the soil.
5.	Brick burning: Bricks are made locally by mixing mud and water, this mixture is put into moulds and then dried in the sun. These are then fired and this uses a massive amount of wood.
6.	Canoe making: On the lakeshore, large hardwood trees are felled to make canoes for the local fishermen.

The Solution!

RIPPLE Africa has employed Force Ngwira full time to set up a tree nursery and provide valuable training in environmental issues, together with helping to improve the local agriculture.

RIPPLE Africa is also employing 10 full-time staff to work on the Tree Nursery and Vegetable Garden project.

Members of the environmental project staff

We will be growing a variety of trees which can be planted in the local area. There will be quick growing gmelina and blue gum trees which will be planted in wood lots to provide firewood. In the interim, it is our intention to provide firewood from existing fast growing trees and dead trees, together with logs from the forestry area.

There will be a variety of indigenous hardwood trees which will be planted out, together with fruit trees. We will be grafting the large juicy mangoes, tangerines and oranges onto local hardy rootstock. This will not only provide a useful source of local income but also a much needed addition to the limited diet.

The new proposed vegetable garden will be underway from January 2005. It is hoped that this will not only provide food locally but will teach the local community what is possible with plannning and knowledge. It is all about teaching the community how to do things themselves. Some will need help to get established, but the long term intention is that individuals will be inspired to make things happen themselves.

Site for the new vegetable garden

Working with the Community

Education and awareness is key to the project being effective. RIPPLE Africa has been working closely with the local chief and the Village Development Committee (VDC), who will be responsible for administering the local bye-laws that they and RIPPLE Africa have drawn up to stop bush fires and the felling of trees.

This local committee is keen to see development in the Mwaya area and is very appreciative of the help given by RIPPLE Africa. Their continued support and energy will make a success of the projects so that, hopefully, Mwaya will be an example to the rest of Malawi. Local church leaders will also be making their congregations aware of the help and advice that is available through RIPPLE Africa.

Force Ngwira giving a talk to the Village Development Committee (VDC)

Chief Chibako (seated fourth from the left) and the local Village Development Committee (VDC)

Local church leaders on a tour of the new nursery

		In November 2004, our new Tree Nursery project was underway. We have now built a 24 metre x 12 metre covered tree nursery for 50,000 trees. In the foreground, we have dug and built a well for irrigation together with a covered potting area and store. There is a greenhouse which will be used for grafting and budding. Our local Group Village Headman, Chief Chibako, has been very helpful and has made available about 5 acres of land adjacent to Mwaya Beach Lodge. This site is ideal for the new tree nursery and proposed vegetable garden.

So What Has RIPPLE Africa Done?

In May 2004, we started a small tree nursery with 5000 trees at Mwaya Beach Lodge with indigenous hardwood trees, quick growing trees for firewood and fruit trees. These will be planted out in the local area.

The original tree nursery at Mwaya Beach Lodge where 5000 tree seedlings were raised

We need ongoing financial help to maintain and increase our environmental projects. Early in 2005, we are planning to buy two ox carts and four bullocks for transporting local firewood and seedlings for the nursery. If you would like to help, please download our donation form and send it to us with your cheque/cash.

We now have wheels!! Nicknamed RUSTY, this 18 year old Isuzu pickup has proved invaluable for transporting logs, manure, people, etc.		We have been very impressed with the local community — they really do realise that the present methods are not sustainable and that radical changes have to be made. RIPPLE Africa is encouraging the local community to build their own compost heaps. Next year, we will have a competition for The Best Compost Heap — and the winner will receive a free bicycle!

			Company Registration No. 04823686 • UK Registered Charity No. 1103256	Contact RIPPLE Africa