We planted 800 Trees in northern Nigeria

 Nigeria has the highest deforestation rate in the world, with only .36% of its primary forest remaining. Scientists believe planting 1.2 trillion trees (globally) would neutralize the damage caused by carbon emissions in the last decade. 

Humanist Global Charity / Brighter Brains Institute planted 800 trees in Nigeria, 80 trees in each of 10 locations, with our partners, the Humanist Association of Nigeria (HAN). Trees were planted along the African Green Belt - aka the “Green Green Wall” - Africa’s plan to combat climate change by creating a mosaic of green landscapes to halt desert encroachment: the expansion of the Sahara Desert into the Sahel (the transition zone between desert and savannah). The Sahel crosses northern Nigeria between 12-16 degrees Latitude North. 

Our reforestation traverses the northern Nigerian states of Sokoto, Katsina, Kano, Kaduna, Jigawa, Yobe and Borno (the last two are largely controlled by Boko Haram.) The 10 locations we are planting in are: Gamji Orchard in Kaduna State, Wusasa Orchard in Zaria, north Kaduna State, Rima Orchard in Sokoto State, Argungu Orchard in Kebbi State, Namoda Orchard in Zamfara State, Karadua Orchard in Katsina State, Danbarta Orchard in Kano State, Hadejia Orchard in Kano/Jigawa State, Gumel Orchard in Jigawa State, and Nguru Orchard in Yobe State.

Humanist Global Charity was familiar with this region because 1) we conducted 27 Critical Thinking workshops here, 2) we assisted an IDP camp for refugees displaced by Boko Haram, 3) we provide Entrepreneur Grants to multiple startups here - restaurants, bike taxis, rice farm, retail stores, tailors, propane sellers, and fashion designers. 

We planted Mango, Cashew, Pear, Paw-Paw (Papaya), and Guava.

The land the trees are planted on is leased for FREE. Humanist Association of Nigeria has an agreement that the landlord will help maintain the trees, and split the profits.

Budget: $100 for 80 Trees per orchard / $35 Labor (land-clearing & planting) / $40 Watering (bore-hole or channeling rivers) $65 Monitoring & Gardening for 2 years / $50 Equipment (Wheelbarrows, Shovels, Sickle, Hoes, Manure, Hoses, Water Pump) / $10 Transportation.

Land is only a small fee to the government or land owner, with profit-sharing agreements.

Laborers are ex-Almajiri youth. (Almajiri were abandoned by their parents at Islamic centers. Almajiri are only allowed to study the Qu’ran and learn no employable skills - the result is over 80% of the terrorist group Boko Haram is ex-Almajiri.)

The following list of  ex-Almajiri boys will be employed to plant trees: Lawal Sufi, Zahraddin Sa'ad, Usman Musa, Mustapha Sani, Auwal Sani, Jerry Bako, Bitrus Ali, Francis Toro, Kabir Ali, Dan-Malam, Ali Ahmed, Maikudi Isa, Ibrahim Audi, Malam Abdullahi, Alu Babangida (Three boys on this list are not Almajiri, but were abandoned by parents)

The ex-Almajiri will be paid $10-$15 per day to plant the trees. They will also be given 50% of the fruit when it matures. 

This project provides three benefits: 1) it plants trees that sequester carbon emissions; this offsets global warming. 2) it trains, employs, and feeds the Almajiri, redirecting them from potentially joining Boko Haram; 3) it provides income to the Humanist Association of Nigeria, a collective that supports all members, many who have suffered financially because they’re ex-Muslim. 

Gardener receives 50% of profits & fruit. Almajiri receive 20%. Directors on the project take 20%. Humanist Association of Nigeria takes 10%.