If we are asked, ‘what is the most important thing about Mayega Children’s Centre?’, we are quick to reply, ‘it brings hope to children that have had none’. The children can think about their futures and not just live (and survive) the day. As the basics are now in place, we can think about what will make the Centre a better place to live and how the children can participate in the improvements.
Our trees are a case in point. Over 80 have been planted, when hedging plants are included and they are doing incredibly well. The passion fruit hedge is the standout. We have had very few failures. The children are responsible for watering and caring. We have just ordered manure and black soil to be delivered and each tree is protected by chicken wire.
The aim of the ‘tree garden’ is to improve the look of the Centre and provide much needed shade. We have one tree near the gate, known affectionately as the ‘big tree’. In a way that is very typically African, all important meetings are conducted there with, invariably, a cooling breeze. As we all know, ‘someone is sitting in the shade today because someone planted a tree long ago’. That is why we are doing it.