Children’s views on the importance of tree planting

“When the local leaders came to our gate telling us to go and plant trees, I felt like having fun with other friends whom I expected to meet at the grounds.” Omar Dusabimana 12, Mburabuturo Primary School, P 5 “Trees have a lot of uses, when trees grow they stop soil erosion. We can use trees for constructing houses, and they give us oxygen.” Robert Mugisha 12. Kinunga Primary School, P 5 “My grandmamma always gets herbs from the forest and other small plants. She treats people who are sick in our village. From trees we can also get chairs and tables.” Edward Rukundo 12, Gishubi Primary School, P 5 “Apart from giving us oxygen, we get charcoal, doors, match sticks, furniture and fruits from wood.” Aisha Murekatete 10, Mburabuturo Primary School, P 4 “The government always calls for people to protect the environment by planting trees and to burn all plastic materials that destroy the environment. It’s important to promote every policy that is friendly to environment.” Irene Hakizimana 14, Karugira Primary School, P 6 “Trees give us oxygen and we learn about the different types of trees in forests and how we can use them.” Araphat Irankunda11, Rusheshe Primary School, P 2 “I was taught that most of the medicine that we take is from the trees. So when we plant many trees, we are able to get more medicine for treatment.” Bashil Niyigena 11, Karugira Primary School, P 4 . “Trees form rainfall and give us oxygen.” Jackson Rukundo 12, Mburabuturo Primary School, P 4 Ends