Kigali Serena Hotel has planted more than 7,500 trees across different parts of Rwanda including fruit-bearing varieties as part of its ongoing efforts to promote environmental conservation and combat malnutrition in local communities.
The initiative was highlighted during a recent tree-planting exercise in Gatsibo District, where the hotel joined residents of Ndatemwa Cell in Kiziguro Sector to plant 2,500 avocado trees. Each household in Bidudu Village received four trees, while those in surrounding villages received two each.
After the planting, the hotel’s management held a community dialogue to educate residents on the importance of maintaining the trees and ensuring their survival for long-term benefits.
Supporting Nutrition and Sustainable Livelihoods
One of the local community health workers, Batangana Devotha, said the trees would play a crucial role in improving family nutrition. “We already have kitchen gardens, but what we lacked were fruits. With these avocado trees, we are confident we can fight malnutrition in our community,” she said.
The Executive Secretary of Gatsibo District, Frank Ibingira, commended Serena Hotel’s contribution, emphasizing that fruit tree planting aligns with the district’s priorities for improving public health and nutrition. “As a district, our key focus is promoting better living standards and good health through balanced diets. These fruit trees will help us achieve that goal,” he said.
Ibingira also urged residents to take good care of the trees and avoid using them as animal feed, stressing that their long-term value lies in their fruit and environmental benefits.
Serena Hotel’s Broader Environmental Commitment
Representing the hotel, Frankline Nyakundi reaffirmed Serena’s long-term environmental and social responsibility strategy: “These fruit trees are not the end of our efforts. We plan to return and plant even more trees as part of our continued commitment to sustainability and community well-being.”
So far, Kigali Serena Hotel has planted trees in Muhanga and Gatsibo Districts, with a broader goal of expanding the initiative across the country.
National Context
Rwanda has been globally recognized for its strong environmental policies and nationwide tree-planting campaigns. Under the National Strategy for Transformation (NST1), the country achieved over 8,165 square kilometers of land covered with trees, underscoring its determination to combat climate change and promote green growth.
Author: Justinmind HARERIMANA
