Summary
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Initiative: “Mti Mtoto” (Small Tree Project) rewards new mothers with 5 tree seedlings per child to combat deforestation and poverty.
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Impact: 35,000+ trees planted since 2018; women now grow high-value crops like macadamia and avocado for income.
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Empowerment: Transforms mothers into environmental stewards while boosting food security and family livelihoods.
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Significance: A replicable model linking climate action, women’s empowerment, and economic resilience in rural Kenya.
Wundanyi, Kenya – In the lush, green hills of Wundanyi, a quiet revolution is unfolding as women take the lead in environmental conservation, thanks to a groundbreaking initiative by local Member of Parliament Danson Mwashako. The “Mti Mtoto Initiative” (Small Tree Project), launched in 2018, has transformed mothers into climate champions by linking tree planting to economic empowerment and sustainable development.
The project, meaning “small tree”, has encouraged local women, particularly mothers, to embrace tree planting as a means of combating deforestation, reducing poverty, and securing a better future for their children
A Visionary Approach to Conservation and Empowerment
Recognizing the pivotal role women play in community development, Mwashako, through his Danson Mwashako Foundation, introduced a program encouraging new mothers to plant trees for every child born. For each birth, the foundation provides five seedlings, fostering a culture of environmental stewardship while securing livelihoods.
“The power to transform lives in our hands, and women are the pillars of this change,” Mwashako said during the initiative’s launch. “By empowering mothers to nurture the earth, we protect the future for our children.”
From Tree Planting to Economic Resilience
The Initiative” quickly became a powerful force in Wundanyi, with women in the area enthusiastically adopting the new practice. The project, originally focused on tree planting to combat deforestation, later expanded to include the introduction of Macadamia and Hass Avocado seedlings. These crops provided an important source of food security and income for the families involved.
What began as a reforestation effort has blossomed into a multi-faceted agroforestry project. The initiative expanded to include high-value crops like macadamia nuts and Hass avocados, offering women an additional income stream while enhancing food security.
With training from the foundation, over 35,000 trees have been planted across Wundanyi, restoring biodiversity and combating deforestation. Women now harvest and sell produce from their trees, boosting household incomes and building climate resilience.
Stories of Transformation
Salome Mkanjumwa , a mother of three, reflects on the initiative’s impact: “Before, I never saw tree planting as life-changing. Now, my children will grow up with food, shade, and a better future.”
The project has not only greened the landscape but also shifted mindsets—women who once struggled with poverty are now environmental leaders, ensuring sustainability for generations.
A Model for Sustainable Development
Mwashako’s initiative proves that environmental conservation and economic empowerment go hand in hand. As Wundanyi thrives, the project stands as a beacon of hope, demonstrating how grassroots efforts, led by women and supported by visionary leadership, can drive lasting change.
In Wundanyi, the future is growing—one tree, one woman, and one child at a time.
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