International Day of Forests: OUR HEALTH MATTERS

Hey you son of the soil
Hey you daughter of the soil
Our health matters
Our forests matter
Listen to me my fellow friends

 

Where forests are, there is health
Forest is health
Listen to me my elders
Healthy stomach is from Mukamba (mahogany /Afzelia quanzensis)
Strong teeth are from Muhacha( Mobola plum/ Parinari curatellifolia)
Healthy eyes are from Mubvamaropa (Bloodwood/ Pterocarpus angolensis)
Health immune system is from muroro (Annona stenophylla bush; African custard apple)

 

Hey you son of the soil
Protect your health, protect your forests
To have a forest is to have fresh breath
Did you know a forest is a clinic?
Mutohwe (snot apple/Azanza garckeana) chases away numpness
Mupfura (morula/ Sclerocarya birrea) and Muchecheni (Buffalo thorn/ ziziphus mucronata) fights high blood pressure.

 

My people, lets preserve forests
Let’s take heed of our health
Thank you

 

Shammysa Samaringa is a member of the Zongoro Primary School Wildlife Club in Mutasa District in Manicaland. This is what she had to say on International Day of Forests 2023. She is 11 years old and in Grade 5. The Environmental Buddies Zimbabwe Catch-Them-Young Project in partnership with ZimParks Manicaland is taking Environmental Education to schools and encouraging students to participate in Environmental Protection.