Aya-Sakassou – planting of GMelina in schools on June 2023
Four years ago, small seedlings 🌱 were planted in schoolyards across Côte d’Ivoire. Today, these trees have grown tall, providing shade, climate resilience, and vibrant learning spaces for students. But the story behind these trees is as important as the trees themselves.
Côte d’Ivoire is experiencing rising temperatures and more frequent climate-related challenges, making schoolyards more than just play areas — they are essential spaces for safety, comfort, and learning. By planting trees, FarmStrong Foundation helps reduce heat, improve air quality, and create calmer environments where children can focus, play, and learn more effectively.
An Educational Approach to Environmental Stewardship
The initiative is also a powerful educational tool. Working closely with school directors and teachers, FarmStrong provides native seedlings and engages students directly in the planting process. They participate in the planting sessions, care for the young trees, and learn about the environmental, social, and climate-related benefits of trees. This hands-on approach teaches responsibility, teamwork, and long-term thinking.
Investing in schoolyards in this way yields multiple benefits
- Human well-being: cooler, safer, and more engaging spaces for learning and play.
- Environmental education: children experience firsthand how planting and caring for trees impacts climate and ecosystems.
- Climate resilience: trees reduce heat, support soil health, and help communities adapt to changing conditions.
- Long-term stewardship: students cultivate a sense of ownership and responsibility for the environment, lessons they carry beyond the school gates.
KOFFIBAKRO (PT Game) – Gmelina trees planted in 2022.