Literacy and Adult Basic Education (LABE) has received 4,500 fruit tree seedlings from the Rotary Club of Kampala Central (RCKC), in partnership with Roofings Group, to green Home Learning Centres (HLCs) and contribute to children’s nutrition and community livelihoods across seven districts in Uganda.
The initiative was launched on 10th August with a tree-planting exercise at the LABE Head Office in Kampala. The seedlings, including mango, avocado and jackfruit, will be distributed to LABE-supported HLCs in Gulu and Nwoya in Northern Uganda, and Yumbe, Adjumani, Koboko, Terego and Obongi in West Nile.
At the HLCs, children will be actively involved in planting and caring for the trees, fostering environmental responsibility from an early age. LABE will also integrate tree growing and environmental stewardship into its parenting sessions with families and communities.
Linking early learning, nutrition and the environment
LABE Executive Director Stellah Keihangwe Tumwebaze thanked the Rotary Club of Kampala Central and Roofings Group for the donation, noting that the initiative complements LABE’s work to support children’s early learning and development.
“These fruit trees are going to help our children learn that it is very important to take care of the environment, while also providing fruits that will support their nutrition. As an organisation supporting early learning, we know that a child learns better when they are well fed. Under our Nurturing Care Framework, we promote nutritious meals for children, and fruits are an important part of that,” Stellah said.
LABE’s Home Learning Centre Management Committees (HLCMCs) will receive and plant the seedlings together with children and other community members.
“The children are going to learn how to grow and care for the trees. We are also integrating tree growing into our day-to-day parenting sessions in the communities. We are excited about this partnership and look forward to seeing these trees grow in the communities where we are taking them,” she added.
Beyond providing shade and creating greener learning environments, the trees are expected to become a sustainable source of fruit for children attending the centres. In the long term, communities will also be able to sell surplus fruit to generate income to support the HLCs and contribute to household and community livelihoods.
Growing environmental stewardship from an early age
Speaking at the launch, Duncan Aturinda, President of the Rotary Club of Kampala Central, described environmental stewardship as an important focus for the Club and thanked Roofings Group for supporting the initiative.
“At the Rotary Club of Kampala Central, we are a green club and stewards of the environment. We appreciate our partnership with LABE and, most importantly, our corporate partner Roofings, which has supported us with these seedlings. They will go to communities where they can contribute to feeding and economic empowerment,” Duncan said.
He also emphasised the importance of involving children in environmental action from an early age.
“Children are the future. We want them, from an early stage, to understand the importance of the environment, the value of trees and how they can grow and care for them.”
Wilson Asiimwe, a member of the RCKC Mission Green Project, said the initiative would be particularly important for the communities receiving the seedlings in Northern Uganda and West Nile.
“This Greening Project will enable learners to understand the environment while they are still young. The fruit trees will also provide fruit for children at the learning centres to improve their nutrition, while surplus fruit can be sold by communities to improve their economic situation,” Wilson said.
Supporting the trees to maturity
To support the survival of the seedlings, LABE has pledged to monitor their distribution and maintenance closely until maturity. Staff Buddy Groups assigned to each of the seven districts will work with HLCMCs and other local structures to follow up on the trees and ensure they are properly cared for.
The launch at LABE Head Office was attended by representatives of the Rotary Club of Kampala Central: Godfrey Musinguzi, Area of Focus Ambassador, Rotary District 9213; Duncan Aturinda, Club President; Tumusiime John, Wilson Asiimwe and Joel Kadhaya Kakolokombe, Community Service Officers; Bbaale Emmanuel Enock, Media; and Akatwijuka Arthur, Rotaractor, alongside LABE staff.