From a blog written by one of the swedish students
An investment for the future
February 27, 2013 · Tamara Jönsson · No Comments
Last week was a busy and exciting week. For the first time we were on the field visit to Tanzania, and for the first time we got to visit a FOF (Farmers of the Future) school. FOF is a project that Vi Agroforestry has started where it collaborates with schools to reach out to a younger audience. When I and Anna came to "FOF school" Wariku Secondary School, which is located in the Serengeti zone, we were very curious and eager to ascertain what FOF is and how it works. We got to meet the students, between 13-18 years, who are in the FOF program. It was mixed boys and girls. Out on the lawn among the many trees that were on the farm, we ask our questions. Anna and I showered the students with questions such as:
- Why did you choose to join the FOF? What do you do in the FOF program? Do you think you learn anything? Enlarge this knowledge on?
Students responded to limited English as best they could to our questions. FOF program has been organized at the school through an environmental club, where 20 students are selected. Initially, the group taught by Vi Agroforestry staff in agroforestry, climate change and practical knowledge as how to plant trees and vegetables, and its positive effect on health and environment. The school has a number of trees planted and there is also a vegetable garden. But it turned out that the group of students who stood in front of us, was a new group that has not yet been clear about the implications of agroforestry, climate change and tree positive qualities.
When they were set during our intense interrogation, they were once timid and afraid to answer the questions asked. One of Vi Agroforestry staff came forward and said:
- Who can tell me what agroforestry is?
A confusion and silence followed in response. There was an embarrassed audience. To lighten the mood Anna and I stepped in and explained that we are students from Sweden who do not really know what agroforestry was before we came here, but we have now learned this and happy to share with our newfound knowledge. 20 minutes later we stood with an interpreter in front of these 20 young people and explained summarizes what we have learned about agroforestry and how we witnessed a positive change out of the farmers we visited. A dedicated crowd nodded in agreement on what we had to tell.
One of the guys in the group asked the question:
- But if you do not have money what should we be successful in agroforestry?
Anna had the pleasure to meet:
- You have begun to think at the wrong end. Money does not come first. With knowledge you can put your plans into action and knowledge, you can then convert into equity if you want. Remember that no one can take away from you the knowledge, but the money can easily be lost.
The time could quickly become four in the afternoon and it was time to leave. The students thanked us because we came and we thanked him for letting us come, for letting us share knowledge with them. I realized there and then that we too Swedish students may be part of the FOF program. We belong to a younger generation that is educated in how we must take care of mother earth in a sustainable manner. Just as the 20 young people we met, have we learned about sustainable farming practices and by our practice, we will bring this knowledge forward.
http://www.viskogen.se/blog/blogg/en-satsning-for-framtiden/