In March this year, I completed the annual tree-measuring I do every of the baobab trees planted in the villages by our baobab guardians. [See this post to find out why the Baobab Foundation has created the Baobab Guardian project]
They have all done exceptionally well with the late rains that we got in January and February.
We now have 75 baobab trees planted. It takes me 2 full days to measure all the trees. I walk from tree to tree through the villages with lots of chatting and greetings with everyone I pass. Children also show a keen interest in the trees. Often they help me measure the trees and are always happy to be part of a photo.
This is Kaki, who I have known since she was in Blessing’s Pre-school (which the Baobab Foundation built for her a few years ago). Kaki is now in Grade 2 and here she proudly stands next to one of the planted baobab trees in her village.
Some have reached their 3 metre target height. In the photo above, you’ll see Aaron Nemutshenzheni with all his grandchildren who have helped him look after his baobab tree for the last three years. At 3 metres, a baobab can take care of itself in the wild. but before then, it’s really important to make sure goats do not get to the trees.
If somebody leaves a gate open or a hole unmended in the fence, those pesky goats will sneak in and eat all the new growth in seconds. It is a real challenge to protect the trees and everybody in the household has to keep an eye out for them.
