On the 21st of September 2024, the Alliance High School in Kenya was the esteemed venue for a remarkable event commemorating the International Day of Peace. Organized by the Global Peace Foundation Kenya in collaboration with esteemed partners such as the Chandaria Foundation, KCB Foundation, Kenya Private Sector Alliance (KEPSA), and the Alliance High School, the theme of the event was ‘Cultivating a Culture of Peace’.
The event saw the participation of over 500 individuals, including students, environmental organizations, and other dignitaries, all coming together to plant a total of 1500 assorted tree seedlings on the school grounds. Each student and participant planted at least 3 trees, with a target of an additional 3500 seedlings to be planted in the following two weeks by students, particularly led by the school’s environment club members.
The overarching goal of this initiative is to establish a 30% forest cover within the school as a model to be replicated in the surrounding community. This effort aims to instill a sense of volunteerism, service, and ownership among the students, with the first phase of the initiative planning to plant 5000 trees by September 28, 2024.
The tree seedlings for the event were provided by the Chandaria Foundation’s tree nursery initiative, part of their sponsorship supporting the Million Tree Growing drive. The Alliance High School is the proud host of the 9th Chandaria tree nursery out of the 15 distributed across 11 counties in Kenya.
Noteworthy guests at the event included key figures such as Mr. Daniel Juma, Executive Director of the Global Peace Foundation; Mr. Vincent Rapando from the Chandaria Foundation; Ms. Gloria Ndekei, CEO of the KEPSA Foundation; Mr. Teddy Oracha, partnership manager at the KCB Foundation; Mr. David Kamau Chomba, the Chief Principal of the Alliance High School; Ms. Immaculate Onyoni of Heritage Pageants Kenya; and Mr. Stephen Motee, Education Program Manager at the KCB Foundation.
The commitment of the Chandaria Foundation to sponsor additional tree nurseries annually by 2032, aiming to raise 45 million tree seedlings, and the support of Kenya Commercial Bank (KCB) Foundation in growing and off-taking seedlings showcase a joint dedication towards environmental stewardship and youth involvement.
This ongoing initiative, aligned with the global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), emphasizes the importance of partnership and collaboration in creating a sustainable and peaceful future. By commercializing tree growing and ensuring sustainability, the initiative not only supports environmental conservation but also aims to provide youth employment and enhance livelihoods.
In conclusion, the event at the Alliance High School exemplifies a collective effort to foster peace, environmental sustainability, and youth empowerment, setting a positive example for future initiatives and collaborations.