KARONGA DIOCESE DISTRIBUTES FRUIT TREES TO PROMOTE NUTRITION AND CARE FOR THE ENVIRONMENT
By Noel Chatepa
The Diocese of Karonga recently distributed fruit tree seedlings to various Christian movements in the Diocese in an effort to support the nutrition of children while adhering to the Catholic Social Teaching of Caring for God’s Creation. This project was made possible through a generous donation from the Coppel Family, which facilitated the purchase of fruit trees intended for distribution among selected Christian Movements within the Diocese.
The recipients of these fruit trees included various movements such as Sunday School Children, Catechists, Catholic Scouts, and members of the Kolping Society across designated Parishes and Outstations. Upon receiving their trees, Clifford Mamba, Chairperson for St. Joseph the Worker Catholic Scouts in Karonga, emphasized the importance of the initiative, “These trees will serve a dual purpose in our households as when they are fully grown, they will provide us with fruits and also provide protection from heavy winds that usually hit some areas in our communities.”
Father Robert Songa, Pastoral Secretary for the Diocese of Karonga, highlighted that this fruit tree distribution project is a collaborative effort between the Diocese and the Coppel Family. He stressed that its importance is not just for environmental impact but also for enhancing children’s nutrition. “As you know, we consider that nutrition is important to the growth of children hence we saw the need to distribute these fruit trees in an effort to contribute to their nutrition through access to fruits at home. With rising prices of fruits in local markets, this initiative aims to ensure that families can access fruits in their homes,” said Father Songa.
Moreover, The Pastoral Secretary pointed out that this initiative aligns closely with Catholic Social Teachings by promoting Care for God’s Creation. He explained that focusing on harvesting the fruits rather than using the trees primarily for wood collection supports sustainable practices which are both socially and environmentally beneficial.
Currently targeting a limited number of Christian communities as part of a pilot project, there are plans to expand this project after assessing its success. Future beneficiaries may include Small Christian Communities and members of the Catholic Women Association among others. Father Songa urged recipients to nurture these fruit trees diligently as they represent hope for healthier futures for their children and generations yet to come.
