Shumba-Mjini
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After witnessing the success of tree planting in neighboring Shumba-Vyamboni, members of this rural community decided to get involved in the tree-growing project. When Community Forests Pemba first visited the community in early October, Director Mbarouk Mussa Omar, was disappointed in the banda (shelter) the community had built in order to serve as a nursery. Taking his points to heart, the community began enhancing the existing structure, and when Mbarouk Mussa Omar returned later that month he was pleasantly surprise, “When we arrived in the community, I watched as a woman walked on the roof of the nursery, inserting palm frawns between the banda’s sturdy frame.” Built from poles dug into the ground, and bound by string, Mbarouk was impressed with the change come over the community.
By the end of October, Shumba-Mjini had constructed a large nursery measuring 35×30 feet, housing over 25,000 pots the community had filled with soil Community Forests Pemba had trucked in from Ngezi forest to the north. At the time of Community Forests Pemba’s last visit to the site, the women of Shumba-Mijini had transformed the tree-growing environment into a women’s community centre. “There were over 45 women benefiting by the nursery’s shade, weaving baskets while talking amiably. The nursery, centered in the community, has become a place where women can come during the heat of the day to socialize and work.
The total population of this rural shehia (a shiehia is made up of 3-4 village units) is 3,618 (1,830 male and 1,788 female) with an average age of 14.6.
