Sakina Mati

All Africa reports on the work of tree planting activist Sakina Mati:

The tree-planting effort in the Sahel is an all-women activity. When we started, we left our lands un-cleared so that the tree stumps may grow. Then we clear the land. With each tree stump, we leave about 7 shoots on it to develop. Then with time, after two or three years, we thin the trees to reduce the density of the foliage. As time went on, the trees began to reduce the wind erosion. We then got firewood, fodder for our animals - and then the herbs started coming out.