Rusike Village
“I was so devastated when the woodlot was burnt, but through your guidance, it has now regenerated
and soon my village will be
benefitting from them”
Headman Taonezvi.
In 2016, SEED donated and help plant 500 gum tree saplings with the local community. Everything was going well, until...
FIRE! Only 2 years after planting the seeds, a fire broke out in the village causing destruction in its wake and sadly killing one person. Despite having efforts to prevent the fire’s spread, the woodlot was also burnt down.
“I was so devastated when the woodlot was burnt, but through your guidance Seed and God, it has now regenerated and soon my village will be benefitting from them” said Headman Taonezvi."
Devastated, Headman Taonezvi told the story to SEED. Robert and Nyasha, our community development workers, reassured Headman Taonezi of gum trees’ incredible ability to rejuvenate and provided guidance to the local people on how to nurture the woodlot back to health.
In just a couple of years, the trees had begun to grow back, stronger than ever! The picture on the left below shows the aftermath of the fire in 2016 and on the right is the same woodlot in September 2021.
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This case taught us many lessons (not least the need for a robust fire break!), perhaps the biggest lesson has been the need to do more of this work as widely as possibly and as soon as possible. Importantly, we must continue to facilitate community-based solutions to the climate crisis through this critical reforestation and planting work.
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The woodlot in September 2021 (below)
