POSTBANK AND NATIONAL YOUTH SERVICE EMBARK ON A NATIONWIDE TREE PLANTING CAMPAIGN

Postbank and the National Youth Service (NYS) have committed to planting over one million trees across the country. The pledge was made at a tree planting ceremony held at the National Youth Service headquarters in Ruaraka. This is in response to a call by the government to increase forest cover in the country from 6.99 per cent to 10 per cent before 2022.

The two government Institutions have a standing partnership where Postbank conducts financial literacy to the cohorts at NYS in a bid to enhance financial inclusion among the youth. Speaking during the event, Postbank Managing Director Ms. Anne Karanja applauded NYS for its efforts to ensure that the youth fully realize their potential and positively contribute towards national development. She further commended the role of NYS in honing the skills of the youth in the wake of negative financial habits such as overspending, borrowing for consumption and betting among others.

The tree planting partnership entails sourcing of seedlings from nurseries managed by NYS. In addition, conservation measures will be undertaken to ensure that the newly planted trees plus the existing ones thrive.  “To avert deforestation, we must massively and progressively increase tree cover through tree planting and management of existing forests in a way that is sustainable, improves community livelihoods and supports income generation,” said Ms. Karanja.

The NYS Director General, Ms. Matilda Sakwa acknowledged the support from Postbank and pledged to promote tree planting and management across the country. “In order to achieve this goal, NYS in collaboration with various  ministries, departments, agencies, institutions and development partners will work together on the said  activities,” said Ms. Sakwa adding  that NYS  strongly believes  this approach will yield results  and consequently increase the forest cover and meet the afforestation target in the country.

“At Postbank, we are committed to sharing our knowledge and expertise in order  to motivate and encourage the  youth to be financially responsible. Our collaboration with the NYS is part of our endeavour to promote financial literacy in Kenya and across the region. We are keen to invest in a generation of educated and empowered youth, who will positively contribute to the socio-economic  transformation of the  local and global community,” Ms. Karanja concluded.