|  | | | | Press Section | | | | |
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| | January 2007 | | | | | | | | Vita launches the “Buy A Miracle Tree” Campaign | | | Friday 26th January 2007: Vita, formerly know as Refugee Trust International, today launched the “Miracle Tree” campaign. The campaign is designed to emphasise the vital importance of trees, in particular the Moringa tree, to the development of sustainable livelihoods for the people of the Horn of Africa. The campaign will take place in schools throughout Ireland this spring, with each school receiving a special “Buy A Miracle Tree” School Pack, containing everything needed to run a successful campaign. From now and continuing through National Tree Week, (Sunday March 4th until Saturday March 10th) registered schools will encourage pupils to ask their family and friends to sponsor a Miracle Tree at €2 per tree. The trees bought will then be planted in Ethiopia and Eritrea. Schools can sign up by registering on www.vita.ie or emailing Vita at info@vita.ie, from 28th January – 28th February 2007.
Through this programme, Vita aims to plant thousands of trees in Eritrea and Ethiopia to enable people to escape from a life of poverty and starvation. The campaign aims to educate everyone about the importance of trees, not just as a vital source of food, but also in protecting the environment. The Moringa tree, because of its amazing properties, is also known as the Miracle Tree. Each tree planted will have a huge and lasting impact on the lives of many families struggling to cope with extreme conditions. The Moringa tree is one of the keys to ending hunger and malnutrition in many parts of the world affected by poverty, drought, disease and starvation, it is fast growing, drought tolerant and pest resistant, and is widely hailed as the world’s most useful tree. Every single part of the Moringa tree can be used for fuel, food and medicine.
Vita, in association with Coillte, sponsors of National Tree Week, will be offering prizes for participating schools. The school/class prize includes an all expenses school/class day trip to the Botanic Gardens in the company of Diarmuid Gavin and a hardwood picnic table and chairs. The prize for the individual pupil and teacher is an Apple iBook each. These prizes are appropriate to the campaign as they enhance the educational and environmental nature of the project. All schools participating will receive a certificate detailing the number and location of the trees planted.
John Wallace Chief Executive, Vita says: the “Buy A Miracle Tree” campaign is the perfect way to educate pupils of the importance of trees in all our lives. The campaign will enable thousands more of Moringa trees to be planted in Ethiopia and Eritrea and encourages involvement in the protection and development of forests in these regions.”
| | | | | | For further information please contact Mary Crawford, Fionnuala Kavanagh or Emma Kelly at Elevate on 01 662 5652 or email:
| | | | | | | | | | | | Notes to Editor:
Vita is an Irish, not-for-profit organisation, formerly known as Refugee Trust International. Vita’s mission is to bring about lasting positive changes in the living conditions of poor and marginalised people in the Horn of Africa. Vita is at the cutting edge of development, with its Sustainable Livelihoods strategy. The charity’s successful approach has shown that when people receive sustainable sources of food and income, such as a Moringa tree, they can lift themselves out of hunger and poverty.
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