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Life Onboard |
LAST UPDATE
November 1, 2005
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| October 1, 2005 |
Planting seeds of self-empowerment - The Green Belt Movement of Kenya – Muriithi Kaburi |
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| Green Belt Movement representative Muriithi Kaburi |
Kenyan based NGO, The Greenbelt Movement (GBM), is living proof that planting one small seed can make a big difference. GBM representative Muriithi Kaburi came onboard Peace Boat between Singapore and the Seychelles to share the philosophy of this community focused organization, which is responsible for planting over 30 million trees in Kenya and other parts of Africa.
After his stay on Peace Boat, Muriithi guided 15 participants on a four-day visit to a village near Nairobi, where they were able to experience the triumphs of GBM first hand, by interacting with local people from the Kamba tribe. |
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| Two volunteers taking pride in their community (Photo: Jung Yong Lee) |
What is the Green Belt Movement?
The Green Belt movement is a community-based environmental organization, which focuses on helping people (particularly women) to help themselves. “A key theme of GBM is to work with women’s groups at a grass roots level, helping them to empower themselves and their communities,” said Muriithi.
GBM was founded in 1977 by Nobel Peace Prize laureate, Professor Wangari Maathai. A biologist, she researched environmental problems in Kenya caused by deforestation. She also studied the influences of deforestation on local women, such as a lack of water and firewood. Professor Maathai then masterminded a tree-planting project involving local women in their own communities. The project, which later became GBM, empowered women to use the resources around them in order to improve the livelihood of their families, through conserving their local environments. |
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| Muriithi discusses the geography of Kenya to a Global University student |
The tree-planting project of GBM involves groups of women volunteers who plant trees within their communities. They receive a small monetary reward for their work, but the main reward is in the form of many long-term benefits, says Muriithi. Individuals who plant the trees gain valuable skills, including land management and organic farming abilities. Public places such as schools and parks benefit from the trees, which provide shade. Fruit trees are planted at schools, which provide nutrition for children, while wood cut from branches is used to make furniture and housing. Communities also benefit from clean air and shade created by the trees, he said. |
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| Young seedlings, ready to be planted by volunteers |
Kenya as a country benefits from increased forest cover, protection from soil erosion, a cleaner environment and maintained biodiversity, says Muriithi. ”The Green Belt Movement uses local resources to improve the lives of local people. Women are empowered to use resources to improve their livelihoods,” he said. Since its formation, thousands of women’s community groups throughout Kenya have joined GBM projects, directly helping to protect, rehabilitate and conserve the environment. |
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| A Global University student from Japan assists a local Kenyan volunteer in the field (Photo: Jung Yong Lee) |
Over the years, GBM has expanded to include many other programmes, focusing on issues such as environmental education, advocacy & networking, the harvesting of rainwater, HIV and AIDS education, and food security. Many other African countries also carry out GBM activities.
As well as holding lectures and workshops onboard Peace Boat, Muriithi was a guest educator for student’s of Peace Boat’s intensive study programme, Global University. He facilitated daily meetings with students, focusing on food security and self-sufficiency in Kenya. |
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| Japanese and Kamba locals enjoy a traditional Japanese dance, as part of their cultural exchange in Kenya. (Photo: Jung Yong Lee) |
To gain a clear insight of the work and benefits of GBM, ten Global University students took part in an exposure programme, in a small village near Nairobi, Kenya. Over four days they joined in a Green Belt Movement tree-planting project. They also experienced home-stays with local families to complete the cultural exchange. |
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| The beginning of a new life: local Kamba people and a Global University student and add another tree to the 30 million already planted by Green Belt Movement volunteers. (Photo: Jung Yong Lee) |
Through Muriithi’s lectures, discussion groups and the exposure programme to Kenya, Peace Boat participants became aware of the strong connection between the environment and peace. Muriithi explained how deforestation leads to a lack of resources, which can lead to desperation and war. By uniting communities to take pride in and improve their surroundings, GBM was helping to spread a message of friendship. “The Green Belt Movement is facing the challenge of creating a peaceful society by improving the environment,” he said.
Muriithi had a suggestion for Peace Boat participants about how to start conserving their own environments. “Don't be wasteful. Use your resources efficiently. Developed countries continue to over-consume, and this has a very negative impact on the environment,” he said.
For more information on the Green Belt Movement, please go to: www.greenbeltmovement.org |
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