WeLoveU Plants 1,000 Mangroves in Todor Creek

By The COAST Reporter

Email, thecoastnewspaper@gmail.com

The International WeLoveU Foundation (Chairwoman Zahng Gil-jah, hereinafter the “WeLoveU”), a global volunteer organization, planted 1,000 mangroves in Tudor Creek, Jomvu, Mombasa County, on May 28.

About forty people, including some members of WeLoveU and local residents, took part in this tree planting activity. The Kenya Forest Service (KFS) Mombasa County office also helped restore coastal ecosystems by providing manpower and technical support.

Tudor Creek has lost most of the original mangrove forest cover due to rapid urbanization and illegal logging, which increases the risk of coastal erosion and flooding, highlighting the urgent action for restoration.

At 10 a.m., the creek was bustling with volunteers who gathered together for the tree-planting event. A representative from Kenya Forest Service, was also present at the event and said, “Tudor Creek has suffered severe loss of its original mangrove forest cover due to rapid urbanization and illegal logging.

This degradation has directly threatened the livelihoods of local residents by increasing the risk of coastal erosion and flooding, making restoration an extremely urgent matter. At this critical juncture, the Intl. WeLoveU Foundation stepped forward voluntarily to plant 1,000 mangroves, which will greatly contribute to restoring Mombasa’s coastal ecosystem.

The seedlings planted today will serve as a ‘natural breakwater’ against floods and a ‘blue carbon reservoir’ as a powerful carbon sink. As the world suffers from the climate crisis, the active solidarity and actions of global NGOs like WeLoveU set an exemplary standard for forest protection in Kenya and for saving our planet.

On behalf of the Kenya Forest Service, I express my deepest gratitude.”

A representative from WeLoveU explained, “Just as a mother tends a garden for her family, we’ve planted mangroves to help protect the livelihoods of residents exposed to climate disasters.” He added, “I hope that the seedlings we’ve planted today will grow into strong ‘natural breakwaters’ that help prevent flooding and erosion, as well as ‘blue carbon reservoirs’ that absorbs carbon, providing a substantial foundation for overcoming the climate crisis.”

The volunteers familiarized themselves with the guidelines, watching a demonstration by officials from the Kenya Forest Service.

Wading through knee-deep mud, they dug holes and carefully planted each seedling.

A volunteer named Engenas Molopyane, who had been planting trees with a bright smile, said, “Although it was difficult to walk with my feet sinking

deep into the mud, I didn’t feel tired at all when I thought about how these small seedlings would grow to become a strong breakwater protecting the local residents.

Just as a mother carefully tends a garden for her family, I am truly proud to participate in creating ‘Mom’s Garden’ for our global family.” Another volunteer named Antony Murithii Wambui stated, “It was a meaningful day to lend a hand in directly addressing the climate crisis and coastal erosion that I had only heard about in the news. I sincerely hope that the 1,000 mangroves we planted today will grow well, absorb carbon, and be of great help in restoring the marine ecosystem.”

This tree-planting activity was organized to help address the climate crisis and restore ecosystems in celebration of International Day for Biological Diversity (May 22), as part of the “Mom’s Garden” project. This project is an environmental initiative that aims to reduce greenhouse gases by planting trees around the world with a mother’s heart and to create a happy future by protecting the livelihoods of the global family. The project is being carried out in many parts of the world, including the Republic of Korea, the United States, Chile, and Australia.

WeLoveU has also taken the lead in supporting local communities in Kenya through various initiatives. Last year, WeLoveU repaired flood-damaged facilities and conducted hygiene education at Mathare North Primary School in Nairobi. In 2024, WeLoveU installed a large-capacity water tank at Tassia Kwa Ndege Hospital (Level 4) and donated a water pump to Olengo Village in Siaya, as part of efforts to help address the scarcity of safe drinking water. In addition, WeLoveU carried out the Clean WORLD Movement at City Park in Nairobi as well as in Starehe, and conducted the “Mom’s Garden” project at Kangemi Recreational Park. Thus, WeLoveU has been continuously carrying out environmental activities as well.

Intl. WeLoveU Foundation (intlweloveu.org)

The International WeLoveU Foundation is a global welfare organization and an NGO associated with the United Nations Department of Global Communications (UN DGC). Under the slogan “Mother’s Love to the Whole World!” WeLoveU treats all people as members of the one global family and carries out its activities. For nearly 30 years, WeLoveU has conducted global welfare activities to create a world where everyone is respected and to achieve sustainable peace.

Over 1,006,400 people, including the members of WeLoveU and citizens across 91 countries, have participated in more than 10,900 activities in various fields, such as disaster relief, support for families in crisis, community-based integrated care, blood donation, environmental protection, and global citizenship education.

In recognition of its outstanding efforts, WeLoveU has received over 1,000 awards from governments and international organizations around the world. The awards include the U.S. President’s Volunteer Service Award (Gold), the ROK Order of Merit, the Royal Order of Cambodia, and the Vicente Rocafuerte Medal from the National Assembly of Ecuador.