Our World

The Green Belt Movement

On page 137 in our textbook it tells about Wangari Maathai and her Green Belt Movement. Interestingly enough, I discovered an article posted on Thurs. Oct. 19, 2006 in a Philadelphia paper which shared that she was touring the U.S. with her memoir. http://www.philly.com/mld/inquirer/news/magazine/daily/15792601.htm
Maathai, in 2004, became the first African American woman and environmentalist to win the Nobel Peace Prize. Her efforts to plant trees have been a national movement in which more than 100,000 women have planted over 30 million trees in Kenya. Maathai also speaks out against women being violated and beaten by government officials. The Nobel Committee cited Maathai’s contribution to sustainable development, democracy, and peace. They noted, “She always thinks globally and acts locally.”
Although Maathai earned her bachelor’s degree in the U.S., she returned to the University of Nairobi to earn her doctorate’s degree. Upon returning to her homeland, she found many of the forests she knew as a child replaced with cash crops such as coffee, tea, and sugar cane. With the forests cleared and lack of clean drinking water she said, “This land is naked, let’s dress the land, and make a belt….a green belt!”
What is even more interesting and a great opportunity for average citizens to connect globally with Kenya and Maathai’s efforts is to take a Green Belt Safari. See link for all the details of what you can experience. http://greenbeltmovement.org/w.php?id=25 As a guest you can be part of a 2 week experience which exposes you to the movement as well as Kenya Culture. I found this safari to be very clever and a wise method to connect people world wide globally to Kenya. I think Maathai’s Nobel Peace Prize is highly deserved and feel her memoir entitled, Unbowed would be interesting to read. If I had a chance to hear her speak, I would certainly appreciate her native dress and speaking voice. As stated, “Maathai could lull a lion with her voice.” What are your thoughts on Maathai and The Green Belt Movement?

posted by Anonymous @ 10/31/2006 05:35:00 PM