What is the green belt movement?
The Green Belt Movement was established in 1977. It was originally established to help Kenyan women because streams were drying up, food supply was limited, and they had to travel further everyday to find a water source. The planting of trees would provide food, store rain water, and serve as a source of fire wood.Once the movement was in official motion it provided 30 thousand women with new skills and opportunities in their life. However, over the years the Green Belt Movement has shifted to also help conserve the environment. Since the beginning of the Green Belt Movement over 51 million trees have been planted all across Kenya. The Green Belt Movement is not only located in Kenya but also in the United States and Europe.
The key focus of the green belt movement
The Green Belt Movement works in six principal areas, also know as "Core Programs":
- Advocacy and Networking
- Civic and Environmental Education
- Environmental Conservation/ Tree Planting
- Green Belt Safaris (GBS)
- Pan African Training Workshops
- Women for Change