In their largest undertaking to date, members of Community Forests International and Community Forests Pemba have decided to build Pemba’s first post-secondary education facility to offer diploma and certificate level programming in Environmental Science, Ecological Forestry, Advanced Agriculture and NGO Management.

This project is in its earliest stages, following a donation of approximately 40 acres to the organization by the village of Gando. The property will house class space and student housing and will prove large enough to offer hands on training through an on-site nursery, farm and model forest.

Click here for more info on the Pemba Sustainability Institute

Site donated to Communty Forests International

New nurseries were set up this fall in Kwale, Kilindi School, Shumba-Mjini and Furaha bringing the project total to 13 communities. Mbarouk Mussa Omar of Community Forests Pemba is proud that this project has gone to impact so many rural Pembans and hopes that the project will continue to grow with support from Community Forests International and their members.

The community of Shumba-Mjini begins nursery construction

Women prepare potting material in nursery

Inside the completed nursery

The nursery pictured above has become an important community center for the women of Shumba-Mjini. Several community members use this central space to gossip and exchange news away from their homes, while others take advantage of the shade to weave handicrafts or baskets.