Give the Gift of Trees campaign set to send 150,000 trees to Africa
Release date: 08/10/2007
Irish families urged to support new Bóthar initiative that will prepare African villages to receive gifted livestock.
Bóthar, the Irish charity that specialises in livestock-based development programmes, has launched the Give the Gift of Trees Campaign, a unique promotion with Kellogg's Corn Flakes. The charity has set a goal of sending 150,000 trees to disadvantaged communities in eight African countries.
The Gift of Trees Campaign will help develop sustainable farming practices in Tanzania, Malawi, Rwanda, Kenya, Zimbabwe, Burkina Faso & Uganda. In these countries, Bóthar will train farmers in good environmental practices to ensure the saplings improve the ecological balance by controlling erosion and maintaining soil fertility.
To help African families, Irish families are encouraged to collect special tokens from boxes of Kellogg's Corn Flakes and send them to Kellogg's. All of the money contributed goes directly to Bóthar and for every 10 donations Kellogg's will fund an additional ten trees. The Give the Gift of Trees Campaign will run on Kellogg's Corn Flakes boxes until Christmas.
Speaking at the launch of the campaign, Father Peter Ssenkaayi, who works in Uganda for Bóthar, has seen the enormous positive impact that trees have on African families. "Trees are the critical first step toward sustainable agriculture, and Bóthar requires that trees be planted before a family can receive any gifted livestock. Trees are special because they serve so many vital functions. They provide fruit, shade, wind breaks, animal fodder, fencing, and building materials. In addition, they are crucial to preventing soil erosion and flooding, while replenishing nutrients in the soil to make farming more productive," he commented.
Fr Peter noted that trees provide an entire tool kit for African farmers, helping them to support themselves and their families. "This is a wonderful opportunity for Irish families to support families in Africa who are trying to improve their lives by establishing sustainable farms. Trees form an integral part of all Bóthar livestock projects and form a central part of Bóthar's commitment to finding a sustainable solution to world hunger and poverty. Bóthar strives to replenish depleted forest areas and teach communities the benefits of cultivating one of nature's greatest gifts. During dry periods, when feed for livestock is scarce, trees continue to produce fodder. A farmer who has a continuous supply of nutritious fodder will have healthier animals year round, while a farmer whose animals are well fed only during the rainy season will 'go back' a bit during the dry season causing milk yield to be affected," he concluded.
Notes to editors:
Families are encouraged to participate in the Give the Gift of Trees Campaign by collecting tokens from specially marked boxes of Kellogg's Corn Flakes. By sending only 4 tokens, along with €5, people will be providing 10 saplings that will grow into trees. Alternatively, families can send 12 tokens, along with €20, to provide 40 saplings to a needy community. All of the money contributed goes directly to Bóthar and for every 10 donations Kellogg's will fund an additional ten trees. Families will receive a personalised tree certificate from Kellogg's confirming their donation, along with a family tree poster. The progress of the campaign can be tracked at www.kelloggs.ie.
For further information on this or any of Bóthar 's projects please log onto www.bothar.org or call 061 41 41 42.
For further information:
Murray Consultants: 01 498 0300
Amy Barber: 087 638 8219
James Dunny: 086 388 3903