Life before reforestation

When Omahiry produced charcoal, the process would include having to spend two weeks in the Marotia forest cutting down trees. He’d then spend an additional week cooking the wood that he harvested. This process would require Omahiry to breathe in the harsh black smoke, causing him most times to get sick. However, he’d continue to work because if he didn’t, he wouldn’t be able to afford to feed his children. After a tedious month-long job, he’d end up with about 40 gunny sacks of charcoal to sell, for only one dollar a piece. This would leave him with just enough money to feed his children.

A new opportunity in Madagascar

In 2020, Omahiry’s life would take a turn when presented with a job opportunity through Eden Reforestation Projects, on our Madagascar team. Now, Omahiry begins his planting days by leaving his home at 6:30 am and meets his colleagues at a gathering place. They leave on foot for a two-hour trek through the mud.

When he’s not planting propagules, Omahiry patrols the planting sites for six hours at a time, protecting them from loggers or supervising the crab fishers to make sure they’re careful and do not step on seedlings.

How the community changed

A community that was once considered to be disappearing has now been reborn. Since Omahiry and our team’s work began in 2020, the population has increased by a quarter, and people from surrounding communities have started their own micro-enterprises by selling local products. This had never happened before. For Omahiry, he now has the opportunity to afford food, shelter, clothing, and other expenses, thanks to a fair wage. He not only spends hours protecting the environment, but can also work as a fisherman in his spare time.

Reforestation creates lasting change

Curious to know more about the people that turn our partnership with Eden Reforestation Projects into reality, day by day? Check out Abdi’s story here!

Thanks to our bunq Elite users, we’ve been able to plant over 9 million trees in Kenya and Madagascar, and continue our efforts toward reforestation. What’s more, the project supports not only nature conservation, but also fair wages and better working conditions for the communities in those areas.

Wanna be part of the green change? Get started by downloading the bunq app today!