A Dedicated Kiswahili Teacher Leads the Way in National Tree Planting
In a heartwarming display of dedication to both education and environmental conservation, Mwalimu Malata Benson, the esteemed Assistant Senior Master Boarding and Kiswahili & Geography teacher at Musingu School, was honored with the Musingu Teacher of the Year Award for 2023(MUTOYA).
Notably, this accolade was not just a testament to his excellence in the classroom but also his remarkable commitment to sustainable practices.
Mwalimu Malata Benson, affectionately known by his students, has undertaken an extraordinary initiative by planting trees on the school grounds.
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Notably, he has planted 43 trees, symbolizing his age, and has set his sights on adding 60 more by December 2023, representing the number of months he has tirelessly served Musingu High School since January 2019.
This endeavor coincides with the President’s nationwide tree planting initiative aimed at bolstering Kenya’s green cover. Under the leadership of H.E. President Ruto, the government has embarked on a mission to plant a staggering 15 billion trees by 2032.
This ambitious plan seeks to combat greenhouse gas emissions, halt deforestation, and restore 5.1 million hectares of previously degraded landscapes through the African Landscape Restoration Initiative, launched on December 22, 2022.
Mwalimu Malata Benson’s commitment to this noble cause is nothing short of inspiring. The initiative, which began on September 10, 2023, has the full support of the school’s Chief Principal, Bernard Toili Lukuya.
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Mwalimu Benson purchases bluegum trees from local vendors in Malinya market and Khayega market, each seedling costing just 10 Kenyan shillings. The designated area for planting runs along the school’s perimeter fence, adjacent to his two-bedroom staff quarters.
Remarkably, he has engaged his family in this environmentally conscious endeavor and awareness. Two of his sons, Rayvon and Ryllan, aged 11 and 2.10 years, respectively, have actively participated by planting four trees each.
And and time they visit home village, they must plant a tree. This demonstrates Mwalimu Benson’s unwavering passion for tree planting, which has been a lifelong commitment.
Beyond his school-based initiative, Mwalimu Malata Benson is renowned as a facilitator, writer, and publisher of Kiswahili books. He is an organizer of teacher workshops and contests and actively engages in prefects’ mentorship programs.
His dedication to education, both inside and outside the classroom, is undoubtedly making a lasting impact on the lives of many. “From October 2023, I request schools that I visit to spread the gospel of Kiswahili to plant 3 tree,” said Mwalimu Malata.
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This exceptional teacher’s efforts are a shining example of how individual commitment can contribute to broader national goals in environmental conservation. By nurturing both young minds and our natural surroundings, Mwalimu Malata Benson embodies the spirit of positive change and sustainable growth for future generations.
A DEDICATED KISWAHILI TEACHER LEADS THE WAY IN NATIONAL TREE PLANTING
