Mohalenyane Phakela
THE Ha Teko community on the outskirts of Maseru on Friday lauded Machabeng College for presenting them with 250 willow trees to help fight the soil erosion greatly affecting the area.
Ha Teko has three streams that flow into the Phuthiatsana River and according to the area chief, Sechaba Lerotholi, these have contributed to the soil erosion that has seriously reduced the land available for economic activities.
“During heavy rainfall, the water flowing in the streams sweeps away the soil, increasing the width of the streams while gradually reducing the available land,” Chief Lerotholi said.
“The last time we got donations of trees was in 2013 but they did not survive due to the severe drought.
“So these willow trees from Machabeng College will help a lot because they are best for holding onto the soil. They will also form an attractive view and I will ensure that the community protects them from animals.”
Form C students from Machabeng College worked hand in hand with the Ha Teko community to plant the trees along the Pekeche Stream.
Machabeng College’s Head of Humanities Department, ‘Maneo ‘Neko said the school had launched a new subject, “Service Learning, through which we encourage the students to socialise and interact with the community through initiatives such as this one”.
“Preserving the environment is part of the school’s curriculum so this is another way for the students to understand how to prevent soil erosion through practicals.
“This is the first time we are doing this but we intend to make it an annual event which will also involve the whole school and not just the Form C class which came here today,” she told the Sunday Express on the sidelines of the tree planting exercise.
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