Christine Angell Nanyange
As I embarked on my journey to Mityana district in Uganda, I couldn’t help but feel both excited and nervous. wePlanet Africa was set to conduct an agroforestry training and video shoot, and I was tasked with coordinating the activities. The goal of the training was to educate the local community about agroforestry with the aim of reducing deforestation. Agriculture and charcoal use are the leading causes of deforestation in Uganda and so this training was to show the locals that, as they wait for universal electricity grid connection, they can continue cooking but in a sustainable way. The training was also to talk about and promote the adoption of cleaner cooking options such as LPG which not only saves trees but is also good for women’s lung health since it does not contribute to indoor air pollution and its resultant challenges of premature deaths.
Since wePlanet is a grassroots movement, we always work alongside local leadership. I arrived at Mityana a few days before the training and was welcomed by Christopher Nkurunza, a warm and welcoming local leader, who introduced me to his amazing wife and children. His dedication to the community was evident as he promised to mobilize his people to ensure a strong turnout for training.
The next few days were a whirlwind of activity. My teammate Jesse and I shopped for supplies, coordinated with local leaders, and oversaw the setup of the training site. Navigating the small town on motorcycles, dealing with intermittent electricity, and finding creative solutions to unexpected challenges became our daily routine. Despite the challenges, the community came together to support us, and we were grateful for their warmth and hospitality.
On the day of the training, my anxiety reached its peak. As the villagers began to arrive, we quickly realized we had underestimated the turnout. Over 200 people showed up, double our expectations! It was both thrilling and overwhelming. The Agroforestry training was a resounding success, with the community engaging enthusiastically with our message. As we wrapped up, I reflected on my experience. It had been a hectic and stressful journey, but also an incredibly rewarding one.
Later that day, we shifted gears to a different kind of activity: a video shoot for an upcoming campaign. Joel, wePlanet Campaigns Director and Patricia, wePlanet Africa Director, took charge of the video shoot, directing the villagers and our team to ensure we captured the perfect shots. The villagers, still energized from the training, enthusiastically participated. The shoot was a wonderful opportunity to bond with the community and capture the spirit of our campaign. Amidst the laughter and lively chatter, we captured moments of dancing, storytelling, and shared joy.
Our final stop was at the home of our host, Christine Namiro. Here, we shared a meal, laughter, and stories. I had the unique opportunity to harvest matooke from her garden, ingredients that later transformed to a delicious lunch of matooke, beef, and groundnuts. Even as we continued our video shoot, Christine’s warmth never wavered. She tended to her unwell child, while sharing refreshments and stories of her life. The video shoot at her home was a fitting end to our journey in Mityana. It allowed us to celebrate the success of the campaign, bond with the community, and create lasting memories of our time together. As we left, we carried the warmth of the people we had met, the satisfaction of a mission accomplished, and the lingering hope that our work would continue to inspire positive change. We hope the people of Mityana grow trees alongside their crops thus continue feeding their families as well as protecting the environment.