We’ve set out to help homeless kids and combat the HIV/AIDS epidemic in Africa by planting crops of trees that build a path to self sustainability for the entire village.
And, the best part is, it’s working.
The Trees 4 Children project is a new model to help fight the AIDS pandemic in Africa. Melia Volkensii trees have been planted on over 600 acres of land in Nyumbani Village in Kitui, Kenya. The trees will be processed and sold for lumber, generating revenues to help the village attain financial self-sustainability for generations. The project has already produced many benefits for villagers, including new jobs, ability to grow food crops between trees, new fuel from pruning the trees and fodder for feeding livestock.
Our Vision & ApproachIt’s been said that if you give people fish, you feed them for a day. If you teach them to fish, you feed them for a lifetime. With Trees4Children, we are close to accomplishing the essence of this well-known proverb, and it’s truly amazing in so many ways. Thanks to our generous and compassionate donors, we cover the costs from germination to harvesting of 30,000 Melia trees planted each year. Trees are harvested after 10 - 15 years, and new trees are replanted in their place. These trees are sold as lumber and made into furniture to support the needs of the village.
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Nyumbani Village + BeyondNyumbani village near Kitui, Kenya provides a stable home for the most vulnerable. More than 1,000 children and grandparents displaced by the AIDS epidemic live there as families in small cottage units. We believe that Nyumbani could be a model for all of Africa, where the AIDS pandemic continues to produce devastating consequences. Today, there are an estimated 52 million orphans in Africa, and 32% of them have had a parent or parents die from AIDS. Please join us in giving hope for a brighter future to so many who need our help.
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"Trees 4 Children does not simply throw money at a problem and walk away. We're investing in self sustainable futures for these kids, and that's really what sets us apart”
- JOHN NOEL, FOUNDER
Recent Updates:
T4C has continued to meet our goals in the field during the COVID19 Pandemic despite restrictions on travel and work put in place by the Kenyan Government and Nyumbani. Since most of the T4C staff are from the adjacent community they have continued to come to work at Nyumbani. The team has continued the work plan, which has included pruning trees, weeding, and planting trees in areas with survival gaps. They also began irrigation this year throughout all the phases since water was available in all the earth dams. The early and extended rainy season decreased the need for irrigation during the beginning of the year. We are fortunate that our project is managed locally and that we were not forced to postpone any activities.
Given the increase in rainfall and now irrigation, I am expecting to see an increase in tree growth rates. Since I was not able to travel to Nyumbani in May, the forestry Manager Wycliffe Munyu has been measuring trees to get an update on growth rates. I am in the process of analyzing the numbers he has sent me. So far it seems that the rate has increased slightly and should continue over time. Since this is the beginning of irrigation it may take a year before we see more substantial increases.
The next step for T4C is to begin harvesting and start testing the markets for Melia timber on a small scale. I will be putting together a budget of what we need for 2021 to do this. It will include a small amount of harvesting equipment (chainsaws), processing labor, marketing labor, and transportation to the points of sale. I will complete this during my upcoming December if travel is possible, or remotely with the help of Wycliffe.
The first harvest of 100 Melia trees is targeted for 2021 to be sold to local and Nairobi furniture makers for product and market development. Larger harvests will continue in 2022-2023 and beyond at which time the market demand for Melia will be growing. ~ John Sheffy, T4C Field Based consultant.
Given the increase in rainfall and now irrigation, I am expecting to see an increase in tree growth rates. Since I was not able to travel to Nyumbani in May, the forestry Manager Wycliffe Munyu has been measuring trees to get an update on growth rates. I am in the process of analyzing the numbers he has sent me. So far it seems that the rate has increased slightly and should continue over time. Since this is the beginning of irrigation it may take a year before we see more substantial increases.
The next step for T4C is to begin harvesting and start testing the markets for Melia timber on a small scale. I will be putting together a budget of what we need for 2021 to do this. It will include a small amount of harvesting equipment (chainsaws), processing labor, marketing labor, and transportation to the points of sale. I will complete this during my upcoming December if travel is possible, or remotely with the help of Wycliffe.
The first harvest of 100 Melia trees is targeted for 2021 to be sold to local and Nairobi furniture makers for product and market development. Larger harvests will continue in 2022-2023 and beyond at which time the market demand for Melia will be growing. ~ John Sheffy, T4C Field Based consultant.
Nyumbani Village; Kenya’s sustainable HIV/AIDS community.
The Trees4Children initiative supports the residents of Nyumbani Village, near Kitui Kenya It provides a stable home for the most vulnerable, as more than 1,000 children and grandparents displaced by the Kenya AIDS epidemic live there as families in small cottage units. It's the first sustainable village for AIDS orphans in Kenya., and is a model for holistic care, as villagers receive comprehensive medical care, K-12 education, vocational education, psychosocial support, shelter, and food. Read more here.
