Welsh climate change charity, Size of Wales, is celebrating after the Welsh Government funded Mbale Trees Growing Programme (METGE) hits the 25 million trees target by 2025 in Uganda.
To celebrate this huge achievement, Size of Wales will welcome Deborah Nabulobi, to Wales for a week of events during the week of 10th March 2025. Deborah is a local tree nursery manager and a gender champion who has been supported by Size of Wales’ partner METGE, the Mount Elgon Tree Growing Enterprise. Deborah arrives in Wales a day before International Women’s Day on the 8th March, and will take part in a number of events highlighting the contribution and success of women in addressing climate change globally.
Deborah will be sharing first hand stories of the impact climate change is having on communities in Uganda, and what actions they are taking to adapt to the crisis and mitigate the impact during a series of events across Wales. Gender equality and the promotion of women’s leadership runs across all activities within the programme. You can read more about the Welsh Government funded programme here.
Uganda has one of the highest rates of forest loss in the world. Based on current trends, it risks losing its entire forest cover by 2040.
Deborah Nabulobi explained about the impact tree planting has had on herself and her local community:
“The 25 million trees distributed by METGE have made a huge difference in our communities. I have personally planted over one acre of trees, including fruit trees and boundary trees around our land. Even though women traditionally do not own land here, I have talked to my husband, and we are now working together to plant trees on our land. As a gender champion, I continue to encourage other women to plant trees and take part in restoring our environment.
“I deeply appreciate the tree planting project introduced by METGE in Bukiende Bumaena. Before METGE’s intervention, our area was extremely dry. The few trees we had were cut down for charcoal burning and brick making. We had no shade, and when heavy rains came, the soil would be washed away.
“With METGE’s support, we have planted trees and distributed seedlings to community members. As a gender champion, I have sensitized women and other community members on the importance of planting and caring for trees. Now, Bukiende is slowly transforming, with more trees standing and the environment improving.
“Through tree planting, we are now engaged in beekeeping — a practice traditionally seen as only for men. Through METGE’s support, women have been empowered to keep bees without fear. This has shown that what men can do, women can also do — and do it even better.
“We were also trained on making Lorena stoves, which use less firewood. Instead of cutting down whole trees, we only need to trim a few branches. These stoves save fuel, protect our environment, and make cooking easier.
“Additionally, we are growing vegetables, which we sell to earn income. This has enabled women to contribute to household needs like buying books for our children, reducing the financial burden on men. As a result, domestic violence in our community has decreased because both men and women are now involved in providing for the family.
“Through the gender project, we have also formed Village Savings and Loan Associations (VSLAs), which help us save money and invest in small businesses.”
Deborah Nabulobi spoke about celebrating International Women’s Day in Wales:
“Before METGE’s intervention,I knew nothing about International Women’s Day. I never celebrated it or recognized its importance. However, through the training, I now understand and celebrate the day as a symbol of women’s achievements and rights.
“I am a gender champion because of METGE. I was trained not only as a gender champion but also in leadership, which has built my confidence to speak out. I am empowered — and through this empowerment, I have also inspired other women in my community.
“I am more confident to address gender issues, thanks to the knowledge we received. Women are now free to contest for leadership positions. In fact, I intend to contest as a councillor — something I never imagined before due to fear and lack of confidence. Now, I feel empowered to take up leadership roles.
“This year’s Women’s Day is going to be very special for me. I had never been to Kampala before, let alone an airport. Now, because of METGE’s work, I am going to fly for the first time and travel abroad — something I had never dreamed of. I am so happy and grateful for this life-changing opportunity.”
