“Happy spring day!” Those were the first words of Ms. Joanne Rolt, the Manager of Trees for Homes Programme at Food & Trees for Africa addressing nearly 500 residents of Olievenhoutbosch. FTFA and Audi celebrated the Arbor Day in the community of Olievenhoutbosch, extension 26 on 01 September 2010 by distributing 500 fruit and shade trees to the residents of that community.
This was a bright and beautiful day to mark the start of the Arbor month celebration by FTFA and Audi Olievenhoutbosch. 4 200 trees had already been distributed to the people of this community. “When I come back here in 5 years I would like to see this place more green than Sandton.” Continued Ms. Joanne Rolt.
Amongst the people who attended this special Arbor Day event was Mrs. Samkelisiwe Chunda who represented the Tshwane Municipality. “This is one of the best tree distribution event I have ever attended.” Said Mrs. Chunda. “The trees are beautiful and the community is joyful to the offer of trees.” She said.
The area where the event was organised was well decorated with FTFA banners and teardrops around. The Audi stickers were also visible nearby houses.
The word “ARBOR” was well written on the ground using half of the trees that were to be distributed. Solomon Mondlane and Ms. Mookho Chaka, both FTFA Community Foresters worked hard to ensure that everything was run properly.
The programme started at exactly 10am with some welcoming remarks by Solomon Mondlane who was also a Programme Director. He then introduced one of the Community Based Educators, Mrs. Ntombixolo Poni to welcome everyone who was present.
“I am a Volunteer working for FTFA. My work is to visit the houses were trees are planted and observe how you are taking care of them.” Said Mrs. Poni.
The Trees for Homes Programme Manager, Ms. Joanne Rolt was introduced to the residents of Olievenhoutbosch. She addressed them and encouraged them to take care of their trees and to be thankful to Audi.
Mrs. Ntombixolo Poni made some clossing remarks. After that, Ms. Mookho Chakha did a tree planting demonstration. She taught the residents how a tree is planted; from digging the hole, inserting the tree in the hole, covering with soil, using compost, mulching, making water harvesting basin and watering the tree. “The tree is watered twice a week if you follow all the steps correctly.” Said Ms. Chaka. The other tree was planted by one of the residents following all the steps required to plant a tree as taught by Ms. Chaka.
It was a joyfull morning as the residents took their trees to their houses. It took only 1 hour 30 minutes for the residents to finish all the 500 trees. “Thankyou Audi, thankyou FTFA for keeping your promises. Olievenhoutbosch is lucky to have you around, and we will look after our trees.” Said Mr. Moleko one of the residents of Olievenhoutbosch.
Everything went well at the end of the day.
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