By Ian Kikomeko
Touch the Heart Uganda’s goal is to empower young people, which goes beyond education to creating healthier, more sustainable environments. Every tree the organization plants is an investment in a child’s future.
Through its school tree planting program, the organization partners with primary and secondary schools to plant fruit trees in schools and surrounding communities. Fruit trees are deliberately chosen for their nutritional benefit to children’s well-being and the much-needed shade they provide schools. During the school day, teachers supervise students as they care for the trees, promoting practical skills and environmental stewardship.
Their engagement continues to grow:
- 100+ schools
- Thousands of students
- Over 15,000 trees planted.
Touch the Heart Uganda has developed the following tools to monitor long-term impact:
- Designated “Tree Custodians”: Local volunteers – often teachers, youth leaders, or community elders – assigned to oversee a specific zone and provide periodic visual checks.
- Structured Survival Audits: The organisation’s core team conducts physical audits at six and 12 months, recording surviving trees, assessing health, and documenting causes of loss such as drought or damage.
- Replacement Protocol: Any trees that do not survive are replaced in the next planting season.
The most recent audit cycle found a 72% tree survival rate after 24 months, a testament to community ownership and post-planting care. The strongest roots are built through community ownership, shared responsibility, and long-term commitment.