By: Haruna Kuyateh
Mama Tamba Youth Empowerment Association (MTYEA) in partnership with the Global Environment Facility on Saturday planted 40,000 species of indigenous trees in five communities – Jajaru, Illiasa, Jumanaar Ba, and Jumanaar Koto, and Alkali Kunda in Upper Badibou, North Bank Region for restoration of the forest cover, harnessing human resources.
It is a 12-month project implemented by the Mama Tamba Youth Empowerment Association and sponsored by the UNDP Small Grant for Global Environment Facility with a commitment to ensuring climate resilience and environmental protection.
Tamba Jammeh, Chief Executive Officer of Mama TambaYouths Association thanked the UNDP Small Grant Global Environment Facility Project while describing environment restoration as crucial in mitigating the effect of climate change through collective actions.
He noted that the project trained youths and women on tree nursery preparation, and management, and also supported them with poly bags and seeds.
He said the restoration of the forest cover and protection calls for concerted efforts of all and hailed communities, Red Cross Volunteers, and the Department of Forestry.
In his appeal, he urged the communities to promote tree growing and take ownership of trees.
Alhaji Demba Marong, the alkalo of Jajari thanked the association for empowering communities on the restoration of forest cover. He noted that deforestation posed a great concern for the inhabitants.
Sohna Sanyang from CROPS Africa Volunteer in Illiasa said the NGO was funded by a former Peace Corps in 2011 and focused on climate change, community mapping, and identifying assets and resource to support community participation in addressing development needs.
She disclosed that CROPS Africa is partnering with Illiasa for the rehabilitation of the community structure into a multipurpose center with facilities including a guest house, meeting hall, and storage facility with the ultimate aim of improving lives and livelihood.
Nfamara Colley, a Youth Leader and Bakary Jadama member of the Village Development Committee member thanked Mama Tamba Youths Association for the foresight on this project.