Nurturing Love for the Environment
Kalimantan Island is known as ‘one of the lungs' of the world due to its vast forest areas.
This natural asset should be protected and preserved for the benefit of the next generation, but over the past few decades we have witnessed a fast degradation of the forests. This is mainly due to the massive logging for the timber-based industries, oil palm estates, and scores of mining activities.
This condition needs to be closely monitored, checked, and corrected.
In an effort to help improve the forest and environment in Kalimantan, Wahana Visi Indonesia Sambas Office in West Kalimantan participated in the Indonesia Tree Planting Day in November 2013.
The theme of the event was ‘Leaving Behind a Much Better Forest for the Next Generation'. Wahana Visi worked with six primary schools to participate in the program. The Forestry and Plantation Office of Sambas district, even supplied tree seedlings to Wahana Visi for distribution.
The 500 tree seedlings consist of mahoni, gaharu and trembesi, which all have the functions to improve the environment and also have commercial value in the future. The seedlings were distributed to three primary schools in Teluk Keramat sub-district and three primary schools in Sajingan Besar sub-district.
The tree planting program received positive responses from the principals and teachers of the respective schools. The principals symbolically planted a tree seedling to show their support, which was then followed by the students and other teachers. Before the tree planting session started, there were advocacy sessions to improve the students understanding about the role and benefits of trees and the importance of keeping the environment rich and lush with various trees.
The project was tailored to suit the age of the students. For younger students, the educational essions were done through storytelling. For the older students, the facilitators talked about the role of trees in our lives and the adverse impact when the forests are damaged. The children were encouraged to help safeguard their environment and to keep their surroundings green and fresh, including their school environment.
When Wahana Visi officer asked them whether they want to be help protect the trees, they enthusiastically responded, "Yes! Yes!"
The students were excited to take part in the tree planting activities. They worked side-by-side with their teachers to prepare the soil. Some children collected water, some dug and loosened the soil, while others prepared the seedlings and took them out of the polybags. With care, all the seedlings distributed to the six schools will grow into big and healthy trees.
*Written by Lina Lumbanraja, Economic Development Coordinator, Wahana Visi Indonesia at Sambas Operational Office, West Kalimantan | Edited by Hendro Suwito, Senior Editor, World Vision Indonesia
