• 1. Environmental conservation activity
• 2. Livelihood improvement activity
• 3. Self-sustaining support
• 4. Others

1. Environmental conservation

In Tanzania, about 400,000 hectares of forest are lost each year due to growing population with increased demand for firewood, clearing to get farmland, burning for pastuer, and illegal logging due to poverty.

Mt. Kilimanjaro (World Natural Heritage), where we are active, has lost about 30% of the forest over the last 100 years, and the rain has also been lost by 30%. The deforestation has not stopped even now.

Ridges that have lost forests become vast bare land, where people can’t meet the needs to maintain life unless they enter into primeval forests.

In order to prevent such degradation of environment on Mt.Kilimanjaro and protect people’s lives, efforts to prevent further deforestation and increase forests are essential.

For that purpose, actions rooted local residents who live with forests as part of their living system are extremely important. On the other hand, if we take a look at the history of forest conservation on Mt.Kilimanjaro, we can see that the villagers who live in the mountain remained the best guardians of the forest.

Therefore, Tanzania Pole Pole Club has been working with the people at the foot of the mountain for more than 20 years since its establishment to plant trees for restoration of the forest on Mt.Kilimanjaro. There are 40 villages that cooperate with us, and about 500,000 seedlings have been planted so far. The seedlings planted in the early stages of the activity have already exceeded 15 m in height, and have cast a cool shade on the former bare land.

Villagers planting trees on bare ridge of Mount Kilimanjaro

Later situation of the same place

2. Livelihood improvement

Environmental conservation activities and people’s lives are inextricably linked to each other like the two wheels of a car. It takes at least 10 years for the trees to grow and get results. In order for the villagers to engage in such long-term activities sustainably, it is necessary to generate better living conditions for them. Therefore, Tanzania Pole Pole Club is working on activities such as beekeeping, poultry raising, and spread of improved stove at the same time to stabilize and strengthen the living base of the villagers and improve their lives.

Honey harvesting at the project site

Harvested honey

Three stones stove common in Tanzania and piled firewood

Improved stove installed in the cooking hut of a villager’s house

3. Self-sustaining support

At Mount Kilimanjaro, the coffee industry that has been supporting the livelihoods of the villagers has declined, and many young people are leaving the village seeking jobs in towns and cities. However, for girls who have difficulty leaving the village, a harsh reality that can not see the future prospects. On the other hand, many women play an important role in environmental conservation not only in Mount Kilimanjaro but also in Tanzania through their group activities. Therefore, Tanzania Pole Pole Club supports sewing class so that girls can live in the village without anxiety.

Girls learning at the sewing class

Graduate girl who opened a shop in town

4. Others

Tanzania Pole Pole Club is working to improve the social infrastructure of the village (construction of clinics, restoration of traditional water furrow, etc.). We also help local residents to improve their problem-solving abilities and ensure the sustainability of their efforts by capacity building through exchanges in the region and training.

Clinic built in the village

Grafting seminar for coffee farmers