Insurer kicks off tree planting programme
An insurance company has kicked off a programme that will see about 235 schools identified across the country plant 5,000 tree seedlings each as a way of supporting the government’s efforts to achieve the 10 per cent forest cover.
The programme expected to cost Sh10 million will see each of the identified schools planting 1,000 tree seedlings with five students from the learning institution being awarded bursaries to support their education.
Speaking during the launch of the program at St Mary’s Kigaa Day Secondary School in Embu East, Pioneer Insurance General Manager Timothy Mutua said the programme was aimed at inculcating the culture of environmental conservation among students.
Mutua said they decided to use students in the programme because they form the majority of the population compared to women and therefore would boost government efforts to achieve the 10 per cent forest cover.
“We recognise school children are the majority and if we induced to them to the culture of tree planting, we will achieve the government’s target of 10 per cent forest cover comfortably,” said Mutua.
Mutua said the programme targets to plant 500,000 tree seedlings over two years in different schools across the country.
The insurance manager disclosed they have covered eight counties.
“Today Embu is our eighth county and before the end of the year, we shall have covered 24 counties while we shall move to the rest of the counties next year,” said Mutua.
During the function, the insurance company also awarded bursaries worth Sh125,000 to five needy students in the schools.
He said besides inculcating the culture of environmental conservation in students, the insurer was also out to use the programme to support the government realise 100 per cent transition from primary school to secondary school.
“Since we know that the government is putting more emphasis on the 100 per cent transition, we expect the programme to assist many needy students in schools. We are fully aware that head teachers are going through challenges in getting sponsorship for needy students,” Mutua stated.
