Kivu Belt Village Tours, the leading community-based ecotourism operator offering professional, rural tour packages in the Gishwati-Mukura National Park and the Lake Kivu and Kivu Belt region and surrounding areas announces a new fantastic initiative that supports and engages local communities through sustainable, conservation-focused projects.
Project 1: One Tree per Family
Tree Planting Initiative:
1. Introduction
Kivu Belt Village Tours, the Integral Development Synergy Organization (IDISO), faculty from West Chester University, and experts from Greenpeace Africa have collaborated together, by organizing impactful community engagement activities in the areas surrounding Gishwati-Mukura National Park. These sustainable and community development activities will aim at inspiring collective action, promote environmental stewardship, and leave a tangible legacy in the community.
As climate change is one of the most urgent challenges facing humanity with rising global temperatures, extreme weather events, loss of biodiversity, and the impact on vulnerable communities, the time to act is now. In this regards, Kivu Belt Village Tours has begun this partnership to advance the mission of inspiring, educating, and mobilizing individuals, organizations, and communities to take meaningful action in the fight against climate change. The event, part of a global environmental movement will focus on solutions, innovation, and activism, by amplifying voices from different sectors to spark collective action.
2. Event activities
2.1. Tree planting campaign launch
In collaboration with local authorities and reforestation organizations, we will launch a tree-planting and plastics clean-up campaign to combat deforestation and mitigate climate change. This initiative will focus on planting various indigenous and fast-growing tree species including fruit trees in deforested or degraded areas around Gishwati-Mukura National Park and cleaning plastics near the Lake Kivu. Participants will have the opportunity to contribute directly to environmental restoration while learning about the role of trees in carbon sequestration, soil protection, biodiversity enhancement, and tree plantation and management.
2.2. Advanced Eco-stoves and Solar panels distribution
After planting trees, each family in which a tree will be planted will receive an advanced eco-stove and around 30 solar panels will be provided to families without electricity. The total number of stoves that are expected to be provided are around 200. After the distribution, there will be a training session about the role of trees in carbon sequestration, soil protection, and biodiversity enhancement and tree plantation and management.
3. Project location:
At the beginning we will start with the areas surrounding the Gishwati-Mukura National Park and Lake Kivu but especially in Rutsiro and Ngororero districts and it is expected to be extended to other protected areas and other places of the country.
4. Dates
The event will take place on 2nd and 3rd April 2025. Note that this will be a semi-annual event and will be organized in June and December every year.
Apart from the tree planting event, our partner, Greenpeace Africa will organize on 4th April 2025 at Convention Center, Kigali , a TED talk session on various themes including climate change and reality, Policy and Global Agreements, Sustainable solutions, Climate justice, youth activism, etc is planned.
5. Contacts
For the 3 projects: tree planting and, plastic clean-up, and stoves distribution, reach out to: safarithomas2013@gmail.com or ndashimyejules@gmail.com or +250788571930 or +250788836180.
For TedxKigali, reach out to: tedkigali@gmail.com or +250781447819
6. Community supports
As these projects focus on sustainability and community development, we would greatly appreciate your participation in our initiative: One Tree per Family. Any contribution, whether monetary, in-kind, or through volunteering, will help sustain the activities of this campaign. These efforts also offer educational and experiential opportunities for nature advocates and eco-travellers alike.
Monetary Supports in dollars are donated through 00010-01390353522-95 (USD), name: Kivu Belt Village Tour, Equity Bank; for local currency, it is through 00010-01390353521-94 (Rwf), Kivu Belt Village Tour, Equity Bank.
You are all welcome!!!