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Writes Chimeno Azriel
With the climate change, Churches in Kadoma came together to commemorate tree planting. Evangelical Fellowship of Zimbabwe partnered with the Forestry Commission and Environmental Management Agency ( EMA) in mobilising of plantation of trees on Church properties. EFZ Mashonaland West leadership descended in Kadoma last Tuesday to witness the handing over tree seedlings to various churches.
The Fellowship found it prudent to raise climate change action through tree planting in the church yards. The partnership of the Fellowship with the Forestry Commission (FC) and EMA has been an encouraging development initiative in natural resources conservation and management for the Community.
The practice is expected to contribute to mitigating the effects of climate change at the local level. The planting of trees at church properties is going to lessen climate change. One of the local climate change mitigation is done through promoting tree plantation at church properties. The planting of trees acts as an initiative to beautify the churches and conserve the environment at the same time.
Speaking at the function held at Good Samaritan Ministries, Chairperson of Evangelical Fellowship of Zimbabwe (Mashonaland West ) Rev Tafadzwa Jacob Mafukidze said the churches need to re-green their communities by planting trees at all church properties. He called on the churches to repentance and change of behavior, unity in vision and purpose as the church seeks to fight climate change and have the knowledge that leads to responsible action and recreating an ‘Eden’ at every church.
Rev Mafukidze who was the Guest of Honour said it was the responsibility of the church to take the leading role in addressing social ills and tragedies and that the church was an extension of the heart ( Compassion) and hands ( service) nature of God. ” it is our responsibility as churches to take a leading role in addressing social ills and tragedies and the church is an extension of the compassion and hands nature of God,” said Rev Mafukidze.
In his speech, Rev Mafukidze said the church has the power to bring permanent healing, restoration, and comfort to a dying world.
The programme ran under the theme: “Trees and Forests for Ecosystem Restoration and Improved Livelihoods.” Trees contribute to the environment by providing oxygen, improving air quality, climate amelioration, conserving water, preserving soil, and supporting wildlife.
EFZ Mashonaland West Secretary, Rev Itai Mukonzamariro, applauded the Evangelical Fellowship of Zimbabwe Kadoma District for hosting the commemoration of the National Tree Planting Day of 2023. He said the tree Planting project in Churches was a very critical aspect of building relationships and closing the long-standing gap between Church and community by being responsible for the environment.
“The tree planting project in churches is a very critical aspect of building relationships and closing the gaps between churches and the community by being responsible for our environment and our theme tells it all,” said Pastor Mukonza.
He said the Partnership of (EFZ), Forestry Commission, and EMA goes a long way in environmental conservation. The initiative has been ongoing since July 2023. So far, about 100 Churches have managed to get the trees.
Tree of the Year is Muunga also known as Fever tree. Sanyati District Forestry Extension Officer, Mrs Namatayi Maunzagona, said trees are the life. Churches, stakeholders, and the community need to continuously engage each other as they seek sustainable ways to combat climate change.
In his solidarity speech at the commemoration, Sanyati District Environmental Officer( EMA), Mr. Knowledge Kabesa encouraged the churches to be responsible in the community they serve by cleaning and disposing of the trash at designated places and they should exercise their rights when it comes to the environment.
The Fellowship has been to Chinhoyi and the ceremony in Kadoma saw 38 churches sharing 700 trees. The next port of call according to Rev Mukonzamariro, was Chegutu and Karoi, with other areas to be reached out to being Mhangura,Banket, Murombedzi, and Kariba.