Youths in tree-planting exercise

Mupacho Initiative, a youth organisation, has encouraged students at Mkwichi Secondary School in Lilongwe to plant and protect trees.

The students were on Friday joined by gospel musician Rudo Mkukupa-Chakwera, who was the guest of honour during the tree-planting exercise.

In her remarks, she urged the students to take the responsibility of planting trees at school and in their communities.

“Trees give us oxygen, which is important for our survival; hence, the need to protect them,”  said Mkukupa-Chakwera.

In his remarks, Mupacho Initiative programmes officer Philmon Kuipa said they believe in the potential of young people in as far as environmental conservation is concerned.

“You are aware that our environment has been degraded and it is time to heal it,” he said.

Mkwichi Secondary School head teacher Besta Kabula thanked Mupacho Initiative for taking part in this year’s tree-planting exercise at the school.

“We will take care of the trees,” he said.

The students planted cassia, albizia and fruit tree seedlings such as mangoes, lemons and tangerines.

The tree-planting exercise came under the theme Healing Our Environment.

Mupacho Initiative is a non-profit organisation founded by journalist Chris Loka.