Picture: Petra has transformed her life using the power of trees. She now sells her tree produce at a local market and for the first time in her life, she’s supporting her family on her own.
Since I got involved in the project I have been happy and relieved. I can get more money to resolve my problems. My children aren’t hungry now. The project work has changed many lives in the village and shown us that we must look after all the trees to improve our environment.
Petra, 46, Burkina Faso
Radio 4 listeners donated incredibly generously to the TREE AID appeal in January, raising a fantastic £18,375 to support families in the drylands of Africa lift themselves out of poverty and protect the environment using trees.
TREE AID works with communities to provide tree seedlings, as well as the tools and training to look after these seedlings and the other trees in their village. Trees are a lifeline to these vulnerable families – they give them a source of food and a means of earning an income.
Our appeal told the story of Petra who was forced to move with her family to another country to look for work. But then her husband died and she returned to Burkina Faso. She had to rely on her brothers for food and shelter, and she struggled to feed her children; every day was a struggle. But this all changed when she joined a TREE AID project. Petra and her community learnt how to grow and care for trees, make a living from their produce, and protect trees from being chopped down. We gave them tools and training to turn nuts from the shea tree into butter and soap.
With funds raised through the appeal, we will be able to help other women just like Petra turn their lives around using the power of trees. With your support, we can provide trees, tools and training for more families in the drylands of Africa – giving them the resources to lift themselves out of poverty and protect their environment.
To find out more about our charity please visit our .