Trees for Cities has been working with residents in the Ethiopian capital of Addis Ababa since 2005, planting nearly 30,000 trees - improving the environment and providing food and income for almost 15,000 local people.

Poverty and malnutrition are the biggest two problems facing the people of Addis Adaba. Some residents consume just 5% of the required nutritional values needed each day to stay healthy. This has a dramatic impact on health, development and quality of life.

Many of the city’s residents rely on small vegetable plots for survival. These plots are ideal for fruit tree planting, as trees can be grown alongside existing vegetables to maximise food production. But purchasing good quality fruit trees is often beyond many people’s means.

Trees for Cities has been working with Addis Ababa-based NGOs since 2005, planting nearly 30,000 trees in and around the city. Our planting projects are aimed not just at improving the city’s environment, but also at providing food and income for local people.

We are working in partnership with the Ethiopian Wildlife & Natural History Society (EWNHS) to provide apple, plum and peach trees for impoverished households, schools, health centres and community groups. We are also working with Birhan Integrated Community Development Organisation (BICDO) to build the capacity of the Hibret Ferie Women's Co-operative Tree Nursery.

We have trained residents in tree care – including tips on making organic fertiliser and maximising fruit yield. Those who’ve benefited have on average used one third of the resulting extra fruit for eating, and sold the rest to create vital income for their household or community centres. We have encouraged beneficiaries to reinvest some of their income in new fruit trees, so increasing the return from their trees and helping each household and group to become self-sufficient.

In 2008, Sharon Reuben and Ian Donaldson from Festival Republic, supporters of our work in Ethiopia, headed to Addis Ababa to see first hand the work on the ground. Sharon said: “Both Ian and I left Addis inspired and delighted that the money spent there is making such a difference to people's lives. We’ve seen how far money can go, and how a small investment if nurtured can grow into something beautiful, sustainable and beneficial to many.”

Read the full diary of the Festival Republic visit to Addis Ababa.

Trees for Cities relies on donations from individuals to  deliver our projects. Please consider supporting our project  work by making a donation or buying a community gift.

The Addis Ababa project is supported by Bloomberg.

If you’d like to know more about the projects, please contact Millie Brown at millie@treesforcities.org or call 020 7820 4427.