Pole pole, or slowly slowly, Kiviwama is making Moshi green! Kiviwama is a community-based conservation organisation operating in Moshi, Kilimanjaro Region, Tanzania. Kiviwama was originally founded in 1999 to conserve the Njoro Juu Spring, a vital water source for twelve villages in Moshi's rural district. Over the past two decades Kiviwama's work has expanded far beyond this, and now forms the h
eart of Moshi's conservation effort. Kiviwama undertakes various programs and initiatives to spread its conservation message, working with local organisations and international volunteers to achieve this. These activities include:
• Running an indigenous tree nursery, where native plants are grown, sold and donated to local schools and community groups. Volunteers are able to assist with the daily operation of the nursery, including planting, weeding, watering and collecting seeds.
• Undertaking reforestation projects around the Kilimanjaro Region, including on the slopes of the mountain itself. Visitors are able to plant a native tree grown in the Kiviwama nursery in Kilimanjaro Forest, accompanied by locally-run trekking company JUST-KILIMANJARO (www.facebook.com/just-kilimanjaro).
• Coordinating hands-on outreach programs for school students and the community, educating Moshi’s residents about the importance of conservation. Native trees from the Kiviwama nursery are donated to plat in school yards, gardens and along the roadside. Volunteers are able to assist with this work, enabling Kiviwama to broaden their local, grassroots impact.
• Producing organic hand-made paper, or Kilipaper, from native tree bark, available for purchase direct from Kiviwama or at selected retailers in Moshi. Volunteers have the opportunity to assist with every stage of the paper-making process, taking the paper from tree to shelf! To support Kiviwama’s work, find out more about volunteering, purchase some organic hand-made Kilipaper, or plant a tree in Kilimanjaro Forest, please get in touch with Samwel on +255 754 343 634 or [email protected]. Asanteni sana – thank you all very much!
