Pupils at Mwalawathonga Primary School in Traditional Authority Mazengera, Lilongwe, today joined community leaders and development partners in a reforestation drive aimed at restoring degraded land and shielding vulnerable communities from worsening climate shocks.

The tree-planting exercise is part of M’bwezera Nkhalango, a three-year reforestation programme being implemented by World Vision Malawi in partnership with Standard Bank Plc. 

The initiative places children at the centre of climate action, a move stakeholders say is critical as deforestation continues to expose rural communities to floods, soil erosion and declining food security.

Group Village Headman Chadza described the initiative as timely, warning that unchecked tree cutting has left communities increasingly vulnerable. He cautioned against vandalising the planted trees, saying strict traditional by-laws will be enforced.

“These trees are for our children and our future. Anyone found destroying them will face serious consequences,” said Chadza.

World Vision Malawi National Director Francis Dube said engaging learners is a deliberate strategy to build a generation that values environmental protection and climate resilience.

“When forests disappear, communities suffer first. By teaching children to care for trees, we are protecting livelihoods and securing the environment for generations to come,” said Dube.

The three-year partnership, is supported by an K360 million investment from Standard Bank and targets the restoration of 200 hectares of degraded land in Traditional Authority Mazengera. Four schools in the area are participating in the programme.

Dube warned that Malawi’s deforestation rate remains alarming, noting that the country has lost vast forest cover thereby urging more stakeholders to scale up reforestation efforts, saying collective action is critical to reversing environmental degradation.

Standard Bank Head of Operations Daniel Mbuzi said the bank’s support reflects a long-term commitment to environmental sustainability, describing tree planting as a practical response to climate change.

“As a bank, we recognise that protecting the environment is not optional. Investing in reforestation is investing in the resilience of communities that depend on natural resources,” said Mbuzi.