Transforming The Environment Program (2022-2023)

The program conducted the planting of 14,810 trees, encompassing fruit trees, timber trees, and ornamental trees across 85 communities in 8 departments of Colombia.
The program involved 2,186 individuals, with a high participation rate of women, who took on the responsibility of caring for the newly planted trees.
The program brought together children, youth, adults, and the elderly, leveraging their efforts, knowledge, leadership, and motivation to create energy, collaboration, communication, and unity.
The program established three nurseries within the communities of Córdoba and Sucre, which supplied 2,593 of the 6,055 trees planted in Colombia.
The program partnered with 58 organizations to extend the impact and reach of the tree-planting initiatives.
The program developed a platform to accurately record and monitor the planted trees, ensuring their sustainable growth and maintenance.

Environmental Health Program (2022-2023)

01
On December 21, 2023, the tree planting project was launched in Kabwe with extensive participation from community institutions and support pledges from the Forestry Department.
02
At the launch event, a total of 730 tree seedlings were distributed and planted, contributing to the establishment of community orchards in various locations, including Katuyola and Kasangezhi communities.
03
The program began with 94 participants in Kabwe and Mwinilunga, planting a total of 1,226 trees, including 926 fruit trees and 300 indigenous non-fruit trees.
04
Through workshops and seminars, the program enhanced tree planting and management, focusing on topics such as environmental health, tree species, and ecosystems.
05
Educational gatherings were conducted in three clusters of the Mwinilunga district, each attended by 30 community members, to discuss the importance of a healthy environment and the role of trees.
06
In Kabwe, vision-sharing meetings and seminars concentrated on environmental health and the impacts of climate change.
07
Nurseries for lemons, guavas, oranges, and papayas were established in Mwinilunga, alongside land preparation for community orchards.
08
Training sessions for tree nursery management and establishment were organized in Kabwe, highlighting a variety of tree species including mandarins, avocados, and others.
09
Six lead promoters were identified and trained to closely collaborate with community members and document project impacts.
10
Discussions on climate and environmental changes involved farmers, promoters, and community leaders.
11
The program leveraged collaborations with local government departments, institutions, and traditional leaders to enhance community involvement.
12
Connections with local schools and commercial farms were established to promote educational activities and practical learning about tree planting and nursery management.

Transforming the Environment Program (2021-2022)

Early on 2022

July 2022

June 2022

Early on 2022

Seeds of native trees were collected in different communities of Cordoba and Sucre for propagation purposes.

The project prepared a proposal considering the current and future landscape and architectural plans for the distribution and location of native tree plantings in the local forest for 2022. This proposal was prepared in consultation with the administrative team of the Bahá’í House of Worship in Norte del Cauca. In this case, approximately 800 trees will be planted as part of this project.

July 2022

In July 2022, 300 trees were planted in the native forest with the support of 140 people from nearby communities in a beautiful spirit of service.

The project included three workshops. The content for the first Workshop was prepared.

June 2022

The program constructed and equipped three nurseries in the communities of Tambor, Los Monos (Córdoba), and Achiote (Sucre) in June 2022. These nurseries can produce 1,000 trees each and are part of the strategy to have native species that the local nurseries in these departments do not grow. Each nursery will have a responsible head gardener and will be supported by tutors and PSA groups in the surrounding area.

At the end of June, Workshop 1 was implemented in 3 communities in Cordoba and Sucre. This Workshop was two days long and was designed to be partly theoretical and practical. Part A of the Workshop focused on underlining the importance of planting trees and their vital impacts. Part B focused on teaching planting skills and dealt with all the steps, from seed collection to producing a sapling ready to be taken to its final place. Part C was dedicated to healthy living soil, microorganisms, and organic fertilizers.

Practical experiences included:

Recognizing and extracting seeds
Preparing the right mix for the seedbeds
Planting of the seeds
Transplanting the saplings
Assembling the nursery, finding and introducing many practical tips on all the different tasks related to the maintenance of a nursery
Producing four different types of organic fertilizers was carried out. Workshop 1 allowed the nurseries to leave in operation
Focusing on soil preparation for planting, planting, species association, protection, and care for the trees.

So far, all those involved are participating with great interest, joy, and commitment. This spirit makes the project foresee the progress and fulfillment of the goals and new levels of well-being in the communities.

Transforming the Environment Program (2020-2021)

Community Initiative: Strengthening Vegetable Garden’s in Cali’s Commune 20 in COVID-19

A project began in January 2021 in commune 20 of the city of Cali to strengthen small vegetable garden initiatives for 100 families. The project aimed to overcome the negative impact of the economic recession during the COVID-19 pandemic and was linked to programs offered by the Créalo Foundation, a local organization that works in partnership with FUNDAEC.

Cooperators Train Promoters of Well-Being for COVID-19 Relief in Cali’s Neighborhoods

These cooperators trained the promoters of community well-being despite the difficulties. Trained persons help distribute groceries to people who cannot work and support their families in the neighborhood. The Mayor's Office and the Archdiocese of Cali supported the foundations to continue providing food for families, so they distributed buckets with seedlings to families that intended to produce food in their homes.

TwoWings Supports Crealo’s Food Distribution Programs in Siloe Neighborhood, Cali

We (TwoWings) followed the programs to strengthen the infrastructure of Créalo in the Siloé neighborhood to provide 1,500 packages of essential food products to lactating and pregnant mothers and 30,000 lunch rations to 150 families.

Empowering Locals: Vegetable Gardening in Cali for Improved Livelihood

Local people were encouraged to plant beans, tomatoes, lettuce, onions, carrots, paprika, corn, broccoli, and herbs such as basil, coriander, oregano, lippia alba, lemon balm, mint, and parsley to improve their lives.

Strengthening Local Food Systems in Rural Colombia

The strengthening Local Food Systems in Cauca project is located in the rural area of the municipality of Puerto Tejada, Cauca, Colombia, on the University Center for Rural Wellbeing premises. The project focused on converting 2 hectares of land into productive plots with various crops and producing organic fertilizers in response to the adverse social and economic conditions caused by the pandemic. The project contributed to families' healthy and nutritious diets, and a food marketing network was established for 70 families.

Some Achievements of Activities were:

Harvesting Nature’s Best: Cultivating, Connecting, and Sharing Organic Bounty

Identifying and diversifying two hectares of land with plantain mounds banana mounds, lemon trees, orange trees, tangerine trees, casava, and pumpkin plants.
Building two compost bins and producing 92 bags of bokashi as organic fertilizer to improve the soil of the two hectares of land.
Establishing Diversified High-Efficiency plots, maintaining and fertilizing them optimally.
Constructing structures for fertilizer production.
Identifying a selection of species to plant in plots.
Identifying 70 families interested in organic products.
Creating a marketing network for natural products and fruits that can benefit 70 regular monthly users.

Driving Sustainable Growth: Impact on Agriculture and Community

Well management and supervision of the project. Planting and harvesting products that were very popular among consumers and marketed well throughout the year.
Identifying the products with regular consumption in homes.
Evaluating the marketing methods.
Systematizing and dissemination of knowledge, learnings, and actions.
Holding four workshops and preparing five bulletins for the general public to raise awareness. The workshops and bulletins positively influenced food security and the dignity of farmers. Moreover, workshops' learnings strengthened the local economy through productive initiatives by families.

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