TIST - Growing trees and farmers!
Growing Participation
TIST Farmers continue to reach new milestones with their expansion efforts. Their hard work, achievements, and enthusiasm make TIST what it is today.
TIST Farmers believe in the power of sharing the big results they create on their farms and in their communities. Through their expansion efforts, more than 30,000 farmers have joined TIST over the past two years and, as of today, 100,000 farmers have joined TIST in Kenya alone! Through Seminars, Cluster, and Mobilization meetings, TIST participants open the door for others to come and learn about the value of teamwork, community, and connection and are a way to pass on information about TIST Values, background, benefits of Conservation Farming, and the objectives of TIST.
Aboku David recently held one of these meetings in his Cluster, Tubur-Ogolai, and reported that it was a great achievement. "Mobilization is going well," he said, "I have involved local leaders, stakeholders, and church leaders." By meeting in TIST Small Groups and discussing strategies, David noticed that the farmers' motivation to participate in TIST activities has increased. His approach has been a success; "TIST is growing well in my Cluster because I am moving from village to village. My target is to make sure that everyone hears about TIST." David also holds sensitization meetings under big trees "so that they can learn the value of trees." His community is embracing the program so much that they have nicknamed him "A Friend of Trees."
TIST Farmer: Kagina James Mutambuka
I have gained a lot from TIST Uganda. When I joined TIST I was invited to a course where I was encouraged to set up a nursery bed for supply of tree seedlings. This I did and I was able to grow more pinus patula trees. I was also encouraged to plant more trees of different kinds: fruit trees and indigenous trees. I have learned Best Practices towards the environment through trainings, growing enough food for the family, and thinning and pruning of my trees. I am so grateful for the payments that I have been receiving from TIST since I joined in 2012. This has enabled me to buy more land and plant more trees. Thank you TIST Uganda for improving my livelihood. Kagina James Mutambuka, a farmer from Rubaya group.
Uganda Education Fund Recipient: Ajilong Susan
Schools resumed on May 9th in Uganda. During the last term, TIST sponsored 12 students through the Education Fund. Three further students have been added this term for a total of 15 recipients! Ajilong Susan is pictured above. She is attending Jeressar High School and recently wrote the following in a letter of thanks to those who made this possible: "I am writing this letter from the bottom of my heart that I am really glad because of the golden opportunity you have given to me. Because of my poor parents who could not afford my school fees I was to miss education. I am very happy for all what has been done for me. I believe I am going to make it. I have hope of excelling and also teaching others the benefits of planting trees. Long live to all the TIST Uganda Leadership."
Sustainable Development Goals Survey Update
Survey locations as of May 2, 2022
As announced in an earlier newsletter, TIST has launched a survey to measure the impact TIST Farmers have on the UN Sustainable Development Goals. So far, over 2,000 surveys have been completed since mid-February. The results show that 27% of surveyed farmers hold leadership positions both within TIST and their community. Based on the responses, TIST Farmers reported a very positive outlook on where they view themselves in the future, a frame of mind that has been credited to the mentorship and sense of community of the TIST Program. The next steps include increasing the number of women surveyed, expanding geographic diversity, sharing survey Best Practices, and increasing the number of interviewers.
TIST by the Numbers
134,900+ TIST Members
23,700,500+ Live Trees
9,300,900+ Tonnes of Carbon Sequestered
If you'd like to know more about how to help the environment while iproving the lives of small holder farmers please do contact us at [email protected]