A Letter from Wangari Maathai
Dear Friends,
This is a wonderful time for the Green Belt Movement (GBM). There has been overwhelming interest in our work over the past few years. Our message has spread faster and farther than we could have imagined. Today, we can hardly respond fast enough to invitations from around the world to share the message of hope. In Kenya, the environment remains a central issue in the political agenda thanks in a large part to GBM.
The planting of trees is the planting of ideas. By starting with the simple step of digging a hole and planting a tree, we plant hope for ourselves and for future generations. Through the process of mobilizing people to action, GBM addresses a wide range of issues that directly affect the lives of individuals, particularly women, and their families, including education, access to water, equity, and reproductive health. People then begin to stand up for their rights and those of their communities. It is their empowerment that truly leads them to decide to prioritize the environment, good governance, and cultures of peace.
The opportunity to share GBM’s unique grassroots approach has never been better. Thus, we are establishing the Green Belt Movement International (GBMI) to facilitate the sharing of this work. I trust you will see the promise that GBMI offers, and the opportunity for even greater change, in Kenya and beyond.
Our challenges are great: Africa faces continued deforestation and increasing poverty. Yet, we know that there are many good practices going on in Africa, both by governments and civil society. It is critical that these be scaled up so that we expand our reach and effectiveness. The GBMI offers that way. Our achievements are shared ones, accomplished by thousands of Kenyan people with the support of partners and friends worldwide. On behalf of the GBM family, I hope that this website will inspire you to support us or learn more about our work.
With warmest regards,
Wangari Maathai
This is a wonderful time for the Green Belt Movement (GBM). There has been overwhelming interest in our work over the past few years. Our message has spread faster and farther than we could have imagined. Today, we can hardly respond fast enough to invitations from around the world to share the message of hope. In Kenya, the environment remains a central issue in the political agenda thanks in a large part to GBM.
The planting of trees is the planting of ideas. By starting with the simple step of digging a hole and planting a tree, we plant hope for ourselves and for future generations. Through the process of mobilizing people to action, GBM addresses a wide range of issues that directly affect the lives of individuals, particularly women, and their families, including education, access to water, equity, and reproductive health. People then begin to stand up for their rights and those of their communities. It is their empowerment that truly leads them to decide to prioritize the environment, good governance, and cultures of peace.
The opportunity to share GBM’s unique grassroots approach has never been better. Thus, we are establishing the Green Belt Movement International (GBMI) to facilitate the sharing of this work. I trust you will see the promise that GBMI offers, and the opportunity for even greater change, in Kenya and beyond.
Our challenges are great: Africa faces continued deforestation and increasing poverty. Yet, we know that there are many good practices going on in Africa, both by governments and civil society. It is critical that these be scaled up so that we expand our reach and effectiveness. The GBMI offers that way. Our achievements are shared ones, accomplished by thousands of Kenyan people with the support of partners and friends worldwide. On behalf of the GBM family, I hope that this website will inspire you to support us or learn more about our work.
With warmest regards,
Wangari Maathai