Tree Aid is an organisation that seeks to eliminate the effects of drought and poverty in the dry lands of Africa, not only by planting trees but also through educational programmes and the pro-vision of equipment. Since 1987 Tree Aid has raised over £3 million pounds, funding 76 projects across Africa and benefiting more than 180,000 people who have been trapped in the cycle of drought, soil erosion and infertile land.

Tree Aid implemented the planting of trees in lines around villages and crops ñ deep growing roots prevent soil erosion and supply the ground with vital nutrients. The trees also provide employment to the villagers by creating jobs in carpentry and fruiting varieties are harvested for selling.

Koulikoro, in Mali, is one of Tree Aid’s many success stories. Drought has turned 65 per cent of the country into desert or semi desert. Along with French project partners, Les Amis de L’Environment, they have helped to set up a seedling nursery where existing eucalyptus trees are utilized to make traditional style furniture. The eucalyptus in Koulikoro had until recently only been sold as fire wood but with Tree Aid’s funding they have set up two furniture depots on the main road to Bamako, the capital. “Eu-calyptus is now the raw material for business that can earn us money,” said Djinfa Coulibaly, one of 4,900 indi-viduals who have benefited from the project. The women in the community plan to raise cattle on crops grown be-tween the newly planted trees and to process the shea nut, an ingredient used in cosmetic production and cooking.