The Teak Tree

For the past two days I was in Arua, a town in North-western Uganda, a region famously known in Uganda as West Nile. There is lots I could write about my experiences while there but I will limit this post to one aspect.

I could not help but continue to admire one tree specie that is reportedly abundant in one part of Southern Sudan. By the way, Arua town can pass the description of being just a 'stone-throw' away from the Sudan border. I first visited Arua in October 2006 and could not help but spot this tree. This time when I went back I even saw a forest of tall ones, I guess more than 5 years old. For some shameful reason I had not carried a camera so I cannot share with you the pictures on this occasion. Maybe some other day. These tall ones were so geometrically straight and elegantly tall that I could not help but take a walk under them. I quickly created a 'memory of the future' as some Zimbabwean describes future dreams and visions. I just imagined how a few years down the road I will actually be walking through my own forest. What a sweet feeling it will be whatever the size of the forest!

I love trees. I love them for various reasons including their cool shade, their peaceful poise, the rains they make, the beauty they add to the environment, the oxygen they provide in exchange for carbondioxide, the fuel they provide, the silent wealth multiplier they are, the sweet sounds that come from the birds they provide a home to, etc.

I purpose to plant not less than one hundred trees of whatever specie this year. In this simple way I could leave a legacy. Making a legacy out of just 100 plants. How simple! Will you join me?

(Below are pictures of one of the seedlings I have so far planted).