RVTT Schools Project schools

Many Kenyan Schools have unused areas of land. By planting a demonstration woodlot, pupils, teachers and parents can be shown the benefits that can be achieved from small scale forestry, producing timber for fuel, construction material and a source of income.

At each school, a half acre piece of land is prepared, planted with 400 trees and fenced off from livestock. A field officer from FOMAWA regularly visits the school to teach the children how to look after the trees. After three years, the trees are high enough to resist the attentions of goats and other livestock. The fencing can then be removed and used on another plot. Four years after planting, the trees are ready to be thinned out, providing fuel and construction material. At between 8 and 12 years the trees have a value of around US $30 each. As the schools all have very limited incomes, this additional income will be helpful in funding, for example, rain water  collection tanks with which to provide clean drinking water and improved sanitation.

The cost to plant each school is 500 pounds stirling, 5% on seedlings, 85% on fencing and 10% fuel for motorbikes for field officer visits. The RVTT in conjuction with FOMAWA have funded 10 schools. With another 35 schools wanting to participate all donations are greatly appreciated.