The Sunday News
Nozibelo Maphosa, Sunday News Reporter
BULAWAYO businessman Mr Raji Modi has stressed the need to plant more trees as a way of mitigating the dangers that are being posed by climate change.
Mr Modi said this during a tree planting exercise by Footprints Early Childhood Development (ECD) Centre on Friday at Entembeni Old People’s Home in Luveve.
“Trees give life to people, people should be educated on forestation and deforestation. Cutting down trees leads to climate change, people are too passive towards global warming, hence we expect to keep on growing trees to avoid global warming,” said Mr Modi.
The event was held ahead of the National Tree Planting Day which is held on the first Saturday of December every year.
Footprints ECD Centre principal Mrs Susan Sibanda said the learning institution wanted to bring life to Entembeni Old People’s Home.
“My centre and the home have a relationship which dates way back to 2003 when I opened the center. We donate food and blankets to the elderly every year, however, this year we thought of doing something different. I have realised that this place has no life, so instead of donating like we usually do, we just thought of planting a tree and flowers to make the home look livelier,” said Mrs Sibanda.
“We want outsiders to see that people actually live here, they should see that this is not a dumping site. We as Footprints want to live our footprints behind, we want to show people that we were here, next year we want to do more for the old people no matter how hard the economy may be.”
Entembeni Old People’s Home matron Mrs Jesca Matavire said she was happy with the gesture.
“Each member will be given a tree to water and look after, hoping the trees will keep them occupied and while looking after those trees they will be exercising. We pray our relationship with Footprints continues like this,” said Mrs Matavire.
