GBM Blog

This blog was written by guest blogger and intern in GBMI's Europe Office, Sofia Olsson.

Wangari Maathai and the Green Belt Movement have become inspiration for poetry!

Yes, that's right! A year four class, at the Hitherfield Primary School and Children's Centre in London, has written the poem ‘A Tree Stands Alone and Wangari’s Dream’. They were inspired by Wangari’s life, in particular her admiration for an old wild fig tree growing in her home village Ihithe. This was a very special tree to Wangari and she often spent time there when she was little, both to play and to fetch water in a nearby stream. Her love for this tree inspired the class to invent this “Kenyan” proverb: “May the fig tree's leaves drop blessings on all who care”.

They also made a fantastic video to accompany the poem and entered it into a poetry competition for the ‘London Grid for Learning’. And! They were one of the top 10 poems selected to go on their website!

The school is eco-friendly and involved in a range of environmental projects and initiatives. It takes great pride in inspiring young minds to care and respect the planet. GBM wants to say a special thanks to all the children at Hitherfield for their fantastic efforts!