Petitcodiac Mennonite ChurchPlanting Trees for Life
More than a decade of clan-based civil war in Somalia has devastated the environment as well as human lives. An Mennonite Central Committee, (MCC), project links tree-planting with peace.
Without a viable central government to enforce environmental laws, some businesses are cutting down the country's scarce trees to make charcoal for export. This deforestation is catastrophic for nomadic herders already struggling with poverty. They live from the milk and meat of their camels, goats, sheep and cows. They depend on trees to prevent erosion, feed their animals and offer shelter. Out of desperation, elders from one clan went so far as to plant land mines in nearby roads so that trucks could no longer carry away their trees.
During these years of anarchy, countless lives have been cut down as well. In every Somali family, at least one person has been killed in the fighting. As part of MCC's project, students studying biology and the environment in Somali will plant trees in remembrance of family members. These trees will be a monument to the miracle and value of life. They will help heal the environment well as comfort a grieving child.
As a lasting memorial of Petitcodiac Mennonite Church's 25th anniversary , we will plant 25 trees along the property beside the highway. As each is planted in Petitcodiac, funds will be sent to MCC to plant a tree in Somalia as of their "Trees for Life" project. Individuals, families and groups are being asked contribute $45 towards the cost of the project. This amount will plant a tree in Petitcodiac and another in Somalia. (Should more be collected then needed for the 25 in Petitcodiac, all excess will be given to the MCC project.)
If you a reinterested in participating in this tree planting project please Email your intention to do so. Please make cheque payable to Petitcodiac Mennonite
Church, (a tax receipt will be issued), and mail it to the Petitcodiac Mennonite Church, 285 Old Post Rd., Petitcodiac, NB E4Z 4N8. If you are planting the tree as a memorial, please indicate in whose name it is being planted.
As of Oct. 28 funds for 39
trees are pledged.
Thank-you everyone!