Angels of Africa is on a mission to transform our landscape and safeguard our precious water resources through the power of tree planting.
Our journey began with a revelation that struck deep during the drilling of our community water well. As the geologist gave us his findings on the actual depth of the well we needed to drill because of the lack of groundwater, we realized the profound impact that the absence of trees was having on our environment.
In areas struggling with water scarcity, where receding groundwater levels force people to dig ever deeper wells, there's a concern that planting trees could compete with humans for this vital resource. This perception of conflict has led many donors to avoid supporting tree-planting initiatives in arid regions around the world.
Planting trees in the drylands of Africa can initially increase water availability. This is because trees, unlike some other plants, use less water than the extra amount they help soak into the soil. Their roots, along with burrowing animals like ants, termites, and worms, create channels for water to infiltrate the ground. Maintaining tree cover can also help regulate temperatures, making these regions more resilient to the extremes expected with climate change.
With fewer trees to provide shade and shelter, the sun beat down on the earth's surface, causing precious groundwater to evaporate. Consequently, the dry surface not only drove up the cost of drilling the well, but it also depleted our water reserves, forcing us to dig deeper and deeper in search of the life-giving resource. It was a wake-up call, to the urgent need to restore balance to our ecosystem and protect our natural resources for future generations.
Determined to chart a new course, we embarked on a bold mission to plant trees across our properties, creating a green oasis that would serve as a model for our community.
But our tree planting mission is about more than just replenishing the earth's green canopy – it's about preparing for the challenges that lie ahead. As our population grows and our water needs increase, we want to be ready. We want to ensure that when the time comes to drill a new well, we won't have to delve deeply into the earth's crust to find water. Instead, we envision a future where abundant water is readily accessible, thanks to the shade and moisture retention provided by our thriving forest of trees.
Through education and outreach, we're empowering our community to join us in this green revolution. By demonstrating the importance of tree planting in preserving water resources and mitigating the effects of climate change, we're inspiring others to take action and make a difference in their backyards.
With each tree we plant, we're sowing the seeds of a brighter, greener future for generations to come. Together, let us cultivate a world where trees flourish, water flows, and hope springs eternal.
