Mvule Project

It was so rewarding to finally be in a village yesterday to see how Mvule Project (www.mvuleproject.org) actually works. I fell in love with this project three or so years ago. If you’ve known me for that long, you have probably heard me talk about it before. These people are so proud of their young trees that they have planted and tended with care. Each villager has their own special way of taking care: protecting them from weather and mole rats, etc. This village was provided a well by the Water Source Project as well so that they didn’t have to walk three kilometers to get their water. When it is the dry season and there is drought, they still need to water their seedlings to help them survive. Mvule seedlings are most susceptible in their first year. And, of course, every day water is a blessing. Once they have successfully tended their trees they get compensated for their time and effort. this village has chosen a goat project from which they will all benefit. Mvule grows trees and a healthy sense of community.

It takes a special group of people to plant a Mvule. It is a slow growing hard wood tree. It will take at least 50 years to mature. So these people know they are not planting these trees for themselves but for their children and their grandchildren. There is no instant gratification, just deep satisfaction in knowing they are making an investment for the future. It was all beautiful to behold.

-Dione