POWER OF COLLABORATIONS FOR GRASSROOTS ORGANIZATIONS – ONE MILLION TREES 4 KILIFI
Grassroots organizations are the heartbeat of local communities, possessing an intrinsic power to affect long lasting change. These organizations, often driven by passionate individuals, tackle pressing issues from the ground up. Today, we celebrate the journey and achievements of One Million Trees 4 Kilifi, a grassroots organization led by Elphic Tossi. Their story exemplifies the transformative power of grassroots movements, the importance of storytelling, and the immense potential unleashed through collaboration.
Elphic Tossi, is a highschool teacher who has visited different parts of the county and from this he has witnessed firsthand the detrimental effects of climate change and food insecurity. He joined the space two years ago, and it was here that One Million Trees 4 Kilifi was born, an organization on a mission to transform Kilifi County into a model of environmental sustainability and resilience by planting one million fruit trees, promoting climate justice, and ensuring food security.
Elphic’s journey is a testament to the potential of grassroots organizations to identify local problems and devise sustainable solutions. Since its inception, One Million Trees 4 Kilifi has planted 300,000 trees, an astounding achievement made possible through collaboration with other changemakers.
One crucial aspect of Elphic’s success has been the ability to document and share his story. He is arguably the most visible community based organization in the County, which he has achieved through an ongoing partnership with Thellesi Trust (an organization that supports grassroots organizations to tell their stories). He documents his work, shares his insights and thoughts, as well as highlights the challenges he encounters. His proactive storytelling has not only brought him visibility locally, but also internationally.
Also read: MAONI BY MAONO | COLLABORATION CREATES MAGIC!
One notable instance was when Elphic posted a video condemning the cutting down of baobab trees in Kilifi County. The video went viral, catching the attention of Change.org, leading to a petition to stop the destruction of these ancient trees. The impact didn’t stop there; the video also drew the interest of DW, a prominent German media house, resulting in a documentary that showcased the plight of Kilifi’s baobab trees to a global audience.Out of this documentary, a researcher from Coventry University reached out to Elphic to help her mobilize community change agents who deal with climate change to help her research in understanding the community’s contributions to climate change mitigation.
The journey of One Million Trees 4 Kilifi underscores the critical need for collaborations among local changemakers. Collaborations like these are essential. They bring together diverse expertise, resources, and perspectives, enabling grassroots organizations to achieve far more than they could individually. For One Million Trees 4 Kilifi, collaboration has been pivotal in planting and sustaining 300,000 trees in Kilifi County, a feat that would have been daunting without the collective effort of various stakeholders.
At Maono, we recognize the indispensable role of grassroots organizations in addressing local and global challenges. Their stories need to be told, their efforts supported, and their collaborations encouraged. Only then can we unlock the full potential of these local heroes in creating a sustainable and equitable future for all.
