By planting 100 trees, club members and other members of the local community on October 13, 2024 concluded the second phase of his ambitious tree-planting project.
This was organized at Groupe Scholaire du Mont Kigali popularly known as APACE in Munanira cell, Nyakabanda sector in Nyarugenge district.
This initiative, aimed at both nourishing the community and preserving the environment, saw enthusiastic participation from school children who were invited to take part in the exercise and learn about the benefits of tree planting.
Addressing the young participants, the current president of the Rotary Club of Kigali Karasimbi, Satish Kumar, explained the vision behind the project;
'We started thinking about a project to have a plantation of 500 fruit trees and then founded a committee to identify a suitable location in Kigali where the local population can benefit while also supporting the environment," he said.
Kumar highlighted that the club ultimately chose Nyakabanda as the ideal locations, confident that these efforts would contribute to both the health of the community and environmental preservation.
The tree-planting initiative extends beyond providing nutritious fruits like mangoes, oranges, and avocados. It also plays a significant role in supporting environmental sustainability.
'By planting more trees, we are not only providing oxygen but also future products like timber when the trees are ready for harvest. Additionally, deep-rooted trees help control soil erosion, particularly during heavy rains, by retaining the topsoil essential for agriculture,' Kumar noted.
The overall goal of the Rotary Club's initiative is to plant 500 fruit trees in phases. This recent event follows the first phase, which took place on March 23, 2024, when 106 trees were planted in public spaces within primary and secondary schools.
The project is also supported by the Ministry of Environment, the High Commission of India, and external initiatives championed by Indian Prime Minister Modi.
'This is a good project, and we are also promoting a cultural tradition where individuals are encouraged to plant a tree in honor of their mothers, an idea further supported by the Prime Minister,' Kumar said.
Beyond local support, the project aligns with Rotary International's broader mission of promoting community service and sustainability.
'We collect contributions from our members, some of which go to Rotary International, and use others through the Rotary Foundation to support worldwide initiatives. In projects like these, we also receive donations and services from sponsors, in addition to periodic annual contributions from our members,' Kumar added.
Founded on March 23, 2022, Rotary Club Karasimbi operates closely with its parent club, Rotary Club Virunga, and other associated clubs such as Rotary Club of Kigali Cosmopolitan, Rotary Club of Butare, and Rotary Club of Musanze, among others.
During the event, Shaffy Kubwimana, a representative from Nyakabanda Sector, spoke about the importance of partnerships between non-governmental organizations and local authorities.
'The collaboration between NGOs and local authorities provides crucial support to various social welfare programs. By complementing the government's budget, these collaborations help fast-track the execution of programs that uplift the well-being of our citizens,' he said.
With two phases now complete and more trees to be planted, the Rotary Club of Kigali Karasimbi continues to lead the way in creating a healthier, greener, and more sustainable future for the communities of Nyakabanda and Kimisagara.
Sam K Nkurunziza
