MALAWI: Catholic Scouts Honour Pope Francis’ Laudato Si’ by Promoting Environmental Stewardship
Sr Sreelatha Kudumula, Principal of St Maria Goretti Sec. School, jointly planting a tree with a student.
Brenard Mwanza
The Catholic Scouts in the Archdiocese of Lilongwe have embarked on an initiative to promote environmental stewardship among young people by engaging them in tree planting and sustainability efforts in local schools.
The initiative, which is a direct honor to Pope Francis’ call for action on climate change as shared in his encyclical Laudato Si’, targets secondary schools under the archdiocese of Lilongwe to encourage environmental awareness among students.
Violet Machika, the Scouts Coordinator in the Archdiocese of Lilongwe, said that tree planting is a crucial step in restoring “our environment” in a world faced by pressing challenges such as climate change and environmental degradation.
She said they want to instil a spirit of conservation in the young people; empowering them to care for the environment and recognize the importance of planting trees.
“Our tree-planting initiative goes beyond mere environmental restoration. We plant fruit trees, providing a nutritional benefit alongside the ecological advantages,” she said.
By involving young people, she added, “we encourage them to nurture their trees and enjoy the fruits of their labor. In doing so, we not only address the environmental crisis but also foster a deeper connection between our youth and the natural world.”
The initiative has already been implemented at Likuni Boys Secondary School and St. Maria Goretti Girls Catholic Secondary School where students participated in planting fruit tree seedlings of Banana, Mango, Orange and Pawpaw within their premises as a hands-on approach to environmental care.
The Scouts are working closely with Wildlife Clubs in these schools citing the passion that club members already possess for environmental issues.
“This simplifies our follow-up process by leveraging existing clubs and monitoring their progress in planting trees,” Machika added.
Sr. Sreelatha Kudumula, the Principal of St Maria Goretti Girls Catholic Secondary School said the initiative will significantly benefit students’ learning and awareness of horticulture.
“Through this initiative the learners will gain an understanding of the importance of trees and their future uses. It will also promote a sense of responsibility in students towards nature,” she stressed.
One-hundred tree seedlings are being donated per school and the students have committed to nurturing the planted trees to ensure their long-term sustainability.
The initiatives are supported by German benefactors and local Catholics, reflecting a collaborative approach to fostering environmental responsibility in Malawi.
