Emerging Public Leaders of Malawi Public Service Fellows and Mlatho Farms sowing seeds of change through joint Tree-Planting Exercise

Amid laughter, experiential learning, and lively performances, on 15 February 2025, Kangwere Primary School in Mchinji buzzed with energy as Emerging Public Leaders (EPL) Malawi's inaugural cohort of the Public Service Fellowship programme in collaboration with Mlatho Farms and Agri learning hub joined forces for a multi-stakeholder tree-planting event. This was beyond just digging and planting the trees, rather a celebration of shared goals towards the fight against climate change, a better life, a resilient community geared to protect its biodiversity and a hope for a greener future.

Kangwere Primary School was the perfect place to start this initiative. With Mlatho Farms founded and rooted in Mchinji, the desire to give back to their community using local solutions and community participatory approaches is their everyday drive. Schools were chosen as planting sites to instill ownership, pride, and responsibility among learners, ensuring that every tree is well nurtured to boost the quality of life generally and breathe new life into the landscape.

The event was sparked by the EPL Malawi Meet the Leaders Impact Series, a program designed to expose fellows to accomplished leaders and inspire transformative leadership, where one leader challenged the fellows to introspect on what local solutions they have driven to solve challenges prevalent in their communities.

One of the Public Service fellows, Daniel Chibwe, Executive Director and Head of Operations at Mlatho Farms, noted that using his enterprise and platform with EPL Malawi he can mobilise different stakeholders and drive them into the ambitious vision of planting 50,000 trees across Mchinji.

With 1,000 trees planted that day, the community did not just dig holes—they dug deep into a shared mission of environmental stewardship. Students, parents, teachers, and community members all got their hands dirty, while Group Village Head Kangwere, Kangwere Primary’s headteacher, Ministry of Education representatives, EPL’s Programmes and Learning Associate, and Mlatho Farms leadership shared words of encouragement and instilled hope on the need for going beyond planting, nurturing the trees for a greener future. They applauded the community’s dedication and participation in this transformative exercise.

Looking to the future, Mlatho Farms and EPL Malawi have plans to expand the movement across more schools in Mchinji. With schools taking pride in nurturing the trees, every planted sapling stands a strong chance of growing into a towering symbol of resilience and unity. EPL Public Service Fellow, Linda Dulla motivated young people in Kangwere village saying, “Young people need to be part of the change of the country’s environmental restoration drive.”

The atmosphere was electric with several community-led edutainments. Students and local performers used music, poetry, and skits to spotlight permaculture and tree-planting—infusing joy into the learning experience and showcasing the creative talent of Kangwere.

This event was a testament to how powerful goals are easier realized when transformative leadership, collaboration, and community participation take center stage in driving locally led solutions to address different challenges.

Together, EPL Malawi and Mlatho Farms are sowing sustainable seeds for a future that is greener, stronger, sustainable, and full of optimism for a better mother earth.

Author: Spencer Munthali - Programmes and Communications Intern, EPL Malawi