The Model
Hearts of Green employs an innovative model of “Adopt A Tree” to empower the young generation in learning institutions in Kenya. (Primary School, Secondary school and public institutions of higher learning) This model involves changing attitudes perceptions and behavior towards environmental conservation and empowers them to actively take responsibility in conserving their environment. It also enables them to grow as accountable, hardworking and proud of their environment.
Each student is provided with two trees. Each of the two trees is planted at school and at home. In case where they cannot plant at home, they can plant at any public institution of their choice such as at a hospital, police station or any public space in their locality. The student ensures that the trees survive by watering and spot weeding until the tree is big enough to survive on its own.
The programme is aligned with the Kenya’s Competence Based Curriculum (CBC) that aims at equipping learners with life skills, identify and nurture talent and promote innovation in life. We engage children in tree planting activities as part of their learning experience. It involves training, demonstrations mentorship and coaching to the children to equip them with skills and knowledge on tree planting and their role in climate change mitigation, the linkages between environmental conservation and social-economic development of any given community and the impacts of environmental degradation and climate change to the young generation and their role in combating climate change.
Through this model, we have managed to grow more that 1.5 million trees in schools.
Over the years, the Adopt a Tree model has grown and morphed into a three-pronged social inclusive and corporate approach to tree growing. i.e. ‘Adopt A Tree ‘, ‘Adopt an Institution ‘and ‘Adopt A Forest’.
This is the foundation of our corporates and stakeholders tree growing engagement platform currently underway under the Landscape Repair and Transformation Programme with the theme being “Wangari Maathai Legacy”