Greening Rusinga Island
Background
People living on Rusinga Island, off the Western coast of Kenya in Lake Victoria, face a multitude of problems. Rusinga is a densely populated island which has suffered enormous environmental degradation in recent years. Soil erosion and loss of biodiversity have meant there is very little productive land and few opportunities to make money other than through fishing. Deforestation has contributed to rising unemployment, deteriorating living conditions and an increasing HIV/AIDS infection rate, which is now estimated to affect between 50-60% of the island's population.
Aims and objectives
The project on Rusinga Island seeks to improve the livelihoods of inhabitants through activities that both tackle the environmental degradation that has taken place and promote enterprise and innovation in the fishing sector. In the process, and through using market-based solutions, Africa Now seeks to reduce overall dependency on the the Lake, offer new opportunities for the people of Rusinga and ensure a more sustainable economic and environmental future.
Activities
- In 2003, Africa Now joined a UNDP Global Environment Facility funded initiative to co-ordinate and publicise seven environmental projects on Rusinga Island, including a reforestation programme to plant 1.5 million seedlings to increase tree cover from 5% to 45%.
- To help in the co-ordination of our work, Africa Now opened an office on the island, where we could assess the environmental conditions and obstacles facing the local communities and come up with solutions.
- Using market-based solutions Africa Now is promoting income-generating opportunities, for example by supporting small businesses managing tree nurseries and setting up horticulture schemes to reduce dependency on the Lake.
Impact
- Over 7,000 people directly benefit from the project.
- All 19,000 islanders benefit from reforestation.
- 750,000 seedlings are being grown with 250,000 already having been planted.
- 5,800 school pupils have been involved in planting trees.
- 9,000 posters, brochures and billboards produced on each project and distributed to raise awareness of the value of trees.
Case Study: Rusinga's Green Fingered Family
Mr and Mrs Anditi live on Rusinga, Lake Victoria, with their five children and four grandchildren. The Anditi family have become very important to Africa Now's reforestation programme.
Mr Anditi has a successful woodlot and horticulture farm which produces enough food for the family and for sale in the local market. His high standing in the community has been a great help to Africa Now, mobilising his neighbours to get involved in planting trees.
Mrs Anditi is working in one of the central tree nurseries where the seedlings for reforestation are grown and their son, Erick, is actively involved in planting trees with his school, helping to make Rusinga Island green and beautiful once again.
"With each new tree that grows there are new opportunities springing up around us. Thanks to Africa Now our land and lives are flourishing again."
--Mrs Anditi