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Equity Ngara Branch partnered with the Ministry of Interior and Coordination of National Government to plant 3,300 tree seedlings at Mathari National Teaching and Referral Hospital.
The exercise was conducted with the support of the Kazi Mtaani programme and chaperoned by the Deputy County Commissioner Mathare Sub-County, Jacob Mwaura.
More than 200 youths from the Mathare sub-county came out to plant trees in the public hospital that focuses on mental health matters.
“Kazi Mtaani is an intervention by the Government to take care of youth affected by the restrictions enforced during the COVID-19 pandemic, where many have lost jobs and closed their businesses.
“Through exercises like this one, where young people provide labour, we keep the youth busy and the environment clean. The youth will also be involved in taking care of the trees until they grow,” said Jacob Mwaura.
He added that this being the rainy season, it is a good time to plant trees, with Mathare sub-county having a target of 4 million trees for the year 2021.
Speaking during the tree planting, the Acting Deputy CEO of Mathari Hospital, Dr Laurence Nderi said the hospital is happy to partner with Equity since both institutions share a commitment to impact the communities they serve.
“Equity is a market leader in the banking sector and has a strong CSR culture. Assisting the community is one of our mandates and we are glad that Equity staff are leaving their offices to be with the community. There is a lot more we can do together,” he said.
Equity Nairobi West Region General Manager Stephen Macharia, who accompanied the staff from Ngara Branch, said the event was a significant one for the region which boasts 32 branches.
“We have a target to plant 23,600 trees per branch, but even more important is that we want this exercise to be in partnership with the community. We acknowledge the young people from Kazi Mtaani who have joined us today here at Mathari National Teaching and Referral Hospital to plant trees,” he said.
The event was organized by Equity Ngara Branch. “Mathari National Teaching and Referral Hospital is our client and we are happy to partner with them today as we plant trees under the direction of Kenya Forest Service officials,” said, Charles Gitonga the Branch Manager
Among the trees planted were 200 indigenous trees and 100 grafted mango trees. Patricia Kitheka, who is in charge of forestry advisory services in Nairobi County said Kenya Forest Service, values Equity’s partnership in greening the county. “This is in line with the presidential directive to increase forest cover,” she noted.
The exercise is part of Equity’s 35 million trees planting initiative in the Group’s efforts to conserve the environment. Through its partnership with Kenya Forest Service (KFS) in this noble initiative, the Bank has been able to receive technical and supervisory support in ensuring proper planting and maintenance of the trees.
