Dr Faith Mwende, the first Kenyan female mountaineer to attempt summiting Mt Everest has launched 'a child adopt a tree' initiative in schools within Makueni County.
Through her No Summit Too High Foundation, Mwende said the initiative was intended to ensure lots of trees are planted by learners in all public primary and secondary schools within the county.
A child adopt a tree concept where each tree planted by a child is nurtured by him or her throughout school life.
Mwende said this would help in environmental conservation through increased tree cover as one of the strategies to mitigate against climate change.
The financial analyst said teachers, local leaders and residents within areas where participating schools are located are encouraged to join in the tree planting initiative.
She urged the residents to plant as many trees as possible especially during this time when the country expects El-Nino rains.
Mwende said the initiative in partnership with the County Government of Makueni also compliments the national government's commitment to plant 15 billion trees by 2023.
She presided over the launch of the initiative at ACK Kithangathini primary and secondary schools in Kaiti, Makueni County on Thursday.
The conservationist is an alumnus of the primary school which nurtured her before she joined Precious Blood, Kilungu for her secondary education and later USIU for both her undergraduate and postgraduate degrees.
“Action on climate change, mental health and peace advocacy are the main reasons why I attempted to summit the tallest mountain in the world, Everest in Nepal, Asia,” Mwende said during the tree planting exercise in the two schools.
Teachers, parents and members of the community joined learners in the exercise.
Mwende demonstrated to participants how to plant trees prior to the exercise.
More than 300 learners participated in the event that so about 500 trees planted.
She said the project would help restore the region’s tree cover as well as promote environmental conservation.
"As we gather here for this tree planting event, let’s remember the valuable lessons we have learnt from this school. Just as a small seed grows into a mighty tree, the knowledge and values instilled in us here have the power to grow and shape our lives.
"Let’s honour this legacy by planting trees. Today symbolises our commitment to nurturing and preserving the environment just as this school has nurtured and preserved the potential in each one of us,” Mwende said.
The high school students were later taken through a mentorship programme conducted by teachers and various professionals.
Mwende gave presentations on mental health, climate change, drugs and substance abuse.
She also narrated to the children her journey from childhood to her remarkable attempt to summit the tallest mountain in the world.
Mwende sensitised the children on the importance of tree planting, environmental conservation and preservation.
On matters mental health, Mwende said "there is no health without mental health" hence the need for everyone to take care of mental health.
She encouraged children to take life positively and focus on their studies stating that no summit is insurmountable.
"All we need is patience, resilience, agility and focus," she said, pointing out that no problem lacks a solution.
Mwende encouraged the learners to speak up and seek help whenever they have problems since "it's okay not to be ok, and it's okay to seek help".
ACK Kithangathini Secondary School Principal Stephen Muasya told residents to also plant fruit trees as sources of income and food.
"Planting of trees is the most important activity in environmental conservation,” Muasya said.
