CFP Activities Around the World!

   Since 1992, together with more than 350 schools, we have planted more than 510,000 trees in Sri Lanka. Although the scale of planting at each school is limited, the most significant achievement is that the children who participated in the program have developed a spirit of compassion toward nature and other people.

   When the Children’s Forest Program (CFP) started in Papua New Guinea in 1994, there was a sawmill near OISCA’s training center, and trailers loaded with logs were passing by.  When we called out to local people to “start planting trees before it’s too late,” the response from many people was cold. However, we focused on PR activities, including requesting the Governor of the Province to participate in the first activity and inviting newspaper reporters to write articles about it. The tree-planting volunteers from Japan also helped to expand the circle of understanding little by little. The government and society are now changing their mindset, with an 8 million tree-planting project now planned as a national project as well.

   The Central Arid Region, where OISCA operates, is a very dry and difficult to grow tress in the first place. We have been devising ways to ensure that the seedlings grow well by selecting the right species of trees for the land, making the seedlings, and maintaining and managing them, and have been passing these ideas on to the children.  By witnessing the growth of trees, children realize the importance and joy of greening and become more interested in the nature around them. 

　In Mongolia, where activities are being conducted without training centers or other base of operations, trainee alumni who underwent training in Japan, are playing a central role in promoting the “Children’s Forest Program” activities in their respective hometowns.

   Even though they were faced with a different situation than in previous years due to the COVID-19 pandemic, they were able to support the local community by acting as a bridge between them and the community, and were able to implement activities that met the needs of the community while taking advantage of OISCA’s strengths, such as supporting home vegetable gardens and the “Mask Project” in which masks were made with children from the Eco Club and donated to CFP participating schools.

   In the future, they plan to focus on activities in southern Mongolia, where the problem of desertification is becoming more serious, as a new challenge. 

   Located in Northern Mongolia’s Orhon Province, the school is in an area dotted with GER (Mongolian nomadic mobile homes).  It is a relatively new school built in 2015. When the school was first built, there was no greenery in the surrounding area, and through the Children’s Forest Program, over 250 trees have been planted to date, including maples and lilacs.  Not only have the children themselves been responsible for maintenance and management but they have also provided environmental education on the importance of greenery. 

   The school is located in Pyaw Bwe Township, Madalay Division, in the Central Arid Zone. This is an area that is severely arid and seems to have limited annual rainfall. The school was built for the children by the villagers with their own money, but they were few trees on the site. After leaning of OISCA’s activities at other schools, the principal consulted with the OISCA staff, and in 2021, the Children’s Forest Program started. 

   The school is a 20-minute drive from OISCA Rabaul Eco Tech Training Center.　The school is relatively new, founded in 2013, and is run by the church. The school is attended by children who have not yet entered elementary school, but due to family and other circumstances, children of various ages are enrolled at the school. In 2021, activities for the Children’s Forest Program (CFP) were initiated in accordance with the elementary school’s desire to provide children with opportunities to think about the environment from an early age. The first activity, OISCA staff provided an easy-to-understand explanation on the significance of environmental conservation, and the children listened intently.

 Located in Kurunegala, Northwestern Province, the school is on a main road and is well served by public transportation. Agriculture is thriving in the region, with many residents growing rice and vegetables for a living.

   In FY 2021, when face-to-face classes resumed, we planted fruit trees such as mango and rambutan, moringa with its nutritious fruit and leaves, and Pongame Oiltree which is expected to serve as a windbreak. 

   In Indonesia which has a large population, the disappearance of important coastal zones that support the country’s economy has become a serious problem in recent years. The damage is the largest on Java Island, where more than 50% of the total population lives, and especially those living along the coast of Demak Regency in Central Java are considered to be the biggest victims of coastal erosion.

   Coastal areas such as Bedono and Timbulsloko Villages, where OISCA operates, frequently encounter a local flood called Rob, phenomenon in which seawater invades inland areas as sea levels rise at high tide. Even schools participating in the Children’s Forest Program in the coastal area suffered serious damage, for example, Timbulsloko No. 1 elementary school, seawater flows in at high tide almost every day, and at high tide, flood damage occurs even in the classroom of the right-side school building which is not raised.  In addition, the school has only one existing toilet for teachers and one for children, which is not enough for the school’s 138 children. Moreover, there is no hand-washing area in the school, and as the infection of COVID-19 continues to spread, there are also hygiene problems.

Resuming activities little by little !

   Wai District School was established in 1920 in Wai District School. In the past, they accepted tours from Japan, and has been actively participating in CFP for many years. In 2020, they stopped the activities temporarily. After the resumption of classes, however, in consultation with the School Steering Committee, they re-stated the activities little by little. In tree planting activities, they planted 65 local tree species such as mahogany and coconut.

Also, they distributed a hand book and worked to raise environmental awareness.

   Although the planted trees are steadily growing, some mahogany trees were damaged by a cyclone and uprooted, and re-planting became necessary. Mr. Suliasi Vatoga, an 8th year grader commented: “as class leader, I will lead classmates while tackling replanting”.

Tree Planting Activities that can be done now and ae necessary now

As an infection control measure, elementary and high schools that are under jurisdiction of the Ministry of Education were closed from the end of March through the end of June 2020.  Even after resuming of classes, priority was given to catch up the delays of classes, and to avoid contact with outsiders, extracurricular activities remained restricted. In some schools and areas where permission of the government was given, we carried out tree planting. In order to help people in need, we promoted together with the community people, not only afforestation species, planting of coconut and vegetables such as sweet potato that bring various benefits. We do hope that in 2021, the activities in schools will be become active again. 

   In cooperation with Phnom Pen Church of Christ, OISCA Cambodia carried out on May 16 and 23, food aid to support 77 local households who are suffering from poverty in livelihood under Corona virus pandemic.

   Since the end of February, the number of people infected by the virus is increasing in Phnom Pen.  The government locked down the city from April 14 through May 5 and restricted movement and activities. Particularly the area seriously infected was designated as red zone, and even after the lockdown, it has been prohibited to go out, hold markets and conduct business activities.

   In the midst of extreme poverty in the lives of people who have lost access to food and income, Mr. Chhourng Sovanna, former OISCA trainee and CFP Manager, started proving food aid. But the activities with the self fund were limited.

   In learning about such efforts, OISCA Nishi-Nippon Training Center solicited donations “for helping former trainees who learned at the Center” and supported Mr. Sovanna’s activity.  In the red zone of Phnom Pen where the movement of people is severely restricted, OISCA Cambodia with the cooperation of government officials, distributed food such as rice and noodles to 77 households.　

   OISCA Sri Lanka, in order to help children who are unable to carry out their study as they wish due to the prolonged Corona pandemic, is making and providing teaching materials for home study targeting 18 schools participating the Children’s Forest Program (CFP).

   In the country, schools closure and reduction of face-to-face lessons due to the spread of Corona virus infection have had a major impact on projects such as the inability to carry out CFP activities such as tree planting and environment seminars as planned. So they decided to support vegetable cultivation that children can do at home and also to provide assistance in solving the problems facing schools. When conducted a survey on needs at school, it was found out that there is an increasing number of children and students who are worried about delay in learning because they are forced to self-study at home due to frequent school closure and shortened classes and that teachers also have difficulty in teaching and responding. 

 Green Wave has been held as an environment conservation activity to commemorate the International Day of Biological Diversity (May 22) with the participation of many schools, mostly participants in the Children’s Forest Program (CFP) and organizations.

Since this year was the last year of the United Nations Decade on Biological Diversity, it was expected to be more exciting than ever. Due to the worldwide spread of Corona virus, however, schools were closed in many countries. Particularly during the Green Wave time from April to June, various regulations were tightened in the countries, and it has become difficult to tackle for many schools and communities as in the past.

Since the spread of Coronavirus pandemic, in the countries where OISCA is operating, strict restrictive measures have been taken in to prevent the spread of disease. In the countries where the increase in the number of infected has become somewhat stable, the restrictions are gradually being relaxed. But in most countries, schools remain closed, and movements are still restricted. Due to the restrictive measures for a few months, there is an increasing number of people living in poverty. OISCA, in collaboration with the local staff, has been extending emergency assistance in order to support the life of people in need.

The Coronavirus pandemic, which is raging the world over, is seriously affecting OISCA’s operating areas. At present, schools in most countries and areas are closed and strict restrictions on movement are imposed in many countries. It is difficult for OISCA staff to go out from training centers. The staff have bravely stood up, support the areas closed by lockdown and are expanding the circle of activities to prevent the spread of virus infection.

　From January 27-29, 12 Japanese senior high school students and 6 teachers visited OISCA Sukabumi Training Center in Indonesia under “International Exchange Program for Senior High School Students specializing in Forest and Forestry” sponsored by the National Land Afforestation Promotion Organization.

　The students group promoted exchange with Indonesian trainees and experienced agricultural field work such as harvesting red pepper. They also visited Sukabumi First Senior High School, a participating school in the Children’s Forest Program (CFP), and enjoyed a cultural exchange session with their Indonesian counterparts, home staying and language classes in which they taught their languages each other.

 From January 23 to 26, OISCA held in Sri Lanka workshops at schools participating in the Children’s Forest Program (CFP) and seminars for leaders by dispatching Ms. Mayumi Sakamoto, a Japanese expert in environmental education. In Sri Lanka where there have been increasing natural disasters and loss of biodiversity, although public awareness of problems is rising, there is a lack of opportunities for environmental education and teaching materials, and CFP schools consulted OISCA on how to teach children.

  From December 26 to 29, 2019, the 9th “Love FURUSATO Work Camp” of the Children’s Forest Program (CFP) was held at DOA-OISCA Agriculture and Rural Development Training Center in Myanmar with the participation of 40 school children and students from CFP participating school. Also, from schools near DOA-OISCA Agriculture and Leadership Training Center located in Mandalay Region which started CFP activities this year, school children and teachers took part for the first time. This region is suffering from severe weather conditions because it is located in the dry land and is confronted with the problem of water conservation and the wind is strong due to the presence of many flat areas. 

The Green Wave is a global diversity campaign to educate children and youth about the diversity which OISCA has participated since 2008.

The Green Wave campaign carried out worldwide on and around May 22th which is designated as the International day for Biological diversity. OISCA also carried out various activities not only domestic but also international, mainly with CFP participating schools.

Toward a rich life to live together with the forest

At schools that have long carried out CFP, rich forests have been formed thanks to continuous silviculture activities.  Not only water retention capacity has increased and landslide disaster risk has decreased, it has also become possible to enjoy the blessings of the forest such as mushrooms and wild vegetables.

Learning the wisdom of living with nature

The Sri Lankan agriculture has problems that crops yields have not been stable due to the unusual climate and heavy use of pesticides and chemical fertilizers are causing health damage. Many areas participating in the Children’s Forest Program (CFP) are located in the rural areas, and we think it important to teach the wisdom and skills of the sustainable livelihood to live with nature. 

What we can do now for the protection of sea creatures

Papua New Guinea is located on the coral triangle which is very rich in marine biodiversity in the world. In the beautiful sea, a wide variety of living things coexist. In the recent years, however, the rich ecosystem has been threatened by climate change, unplanned fishing and environmental destruction. Particularly the inflow into sea of plastic garbage is a problem. 

From children to adults, resident-oriented reforestation 

 In the Philippines which is an island country, we put effort on planting mangroves, sea forest. The mangroves that children raised, not only protect the communities from strong wind and high waves, but also help improve the livelihood of the community residents with ecosystem becoming rich and fish catches increasing. 

Distributing text book encouraging independent studies

  In the past, schools in Myanmar have been oriented toward memory-type education. But in 2017, the textbook of the first graders was revised for the first time in 20 years and started to put an emphasis on the education which promotes independent learning. 

Learning the blessing of the forest and develop a grateful spirit

  One of the unique activities in the Malaysian Children’s Forest Program is “building squares of TSUMIKI: Wood blocks”. It is the activity that OISCA has been carrying out utilizing thinning materials for environmental education mainly in Japan. In Malaysia, former trainees utilizing what they have learnt in Japan, is conducting the program to tell children the blessings of the forests and the importance of protecting the forests. 

Challenge to reduce garbage in pleasure

In Indonesia, the garbage problem has become serious due to population increase and economic development. Currently, most of the garbage is buried as it is or illegally incinerated and discarded. While the problem of marine pollution due to plastic waste become serious.

Children are contributing to the disaster-resistant and sustainable community development

In the big flood which occurred in Kerala State in August 2018, many schools participants in Children’s Forest Program (CFP) suffered. Students of the disaster-hit high school actively participated in the recovery activities such as clearing damaged school buildings and houses and distributing relief goods. At the same time, they are standing up from the disaster, while learning from the consequences of the environmental destruction, have started the action so that the reconstructed communities could be sustainable. 

Disaster-Resistant Forest Development

In Viti Levu Island, felling of forests and mangroves and degradation of biodiversity are in progress due to the development of resorts, and natural disasters due to abnormal weather such as coast erosion because of sea level rise and huge cyclone have become more serious.

We are putting in force mangrove planting involving not only children but also community people. 

To continue living in this land without losing to desertification

OISCA has established a base for operations for the prevention of desertification in Alaxa, Inner Mongolia which is said to be one of the source regions of the yellow sand, and is tackling greening activities together with the local people. We are also putting effort on the diffusion of environment-friendly industry such as cultivating herbs which become herbal medicine. 

For this fiscal year, the OISCA – CFP National Workshop was held in OTTAA Nueva Vizcaya Reforestation Project in Brgy. Kirang, Aritao, Nueva Vizcaya on the 27th to the 30th of November. Participants from 12 provinces in the country attended the said workshop.102 participants composed of 50 elementary pupils, 9 high schools, 24 teachers, and 19 OISCA coordinators, volunteers and resource speakers gathered to celebrate yet another national workshop with another exciting and educational theme. Guided by the theme “Today’s Youth: Enhancement of Biodiversity Conservation Efforts and Carbon Sequestration Potential Appreciation” together with our reliable resource speakers the Workshop went by without a hitch. 

Aiming for Activities in Cooperation with Communities

In Cambodia which does not have a base for activities such as a permanent training center, former trainees who underwent training in Japan are promoting in cooperation the activities in each community. The fellows who enliven the activities together are more powerful than anything else for continuing the activities in coordination with schools aside from their main work. We are aiming to strengthen a cooperative system appealing school teachers and university students for their active participation. 

What we can do for climate change

In Bangladesh which is susceptible to climate change, because of sea level rise due to global warming, seawater has broken into underground water and salting of drinking water is in progress. Salt damage is also causing serious damage to crops, and make the life of those engaged in agriculture very difficult. In Children’s Forest Program (CFP), we are focusing on activities to teach the children the knowledge about climate change and countermeasures so that they would be able to live with peace of mind in the future. 

From May 27 to June 6, OISCA will invite to Japan a total of 8 persons, 4 school children and 4 coordinators each from Papua New Guinea and Sri Lanka under the Children’s Forest Program (CFP). 

In collaboration with Tambunan`s Department of Forestry and Department of Agriculture, OISCA KPD Tenom Training Center initiated the implementation ofCFP activities at Pegalan Kusob Tambu from April 8-10, 2019. The event wasparticipated by 90 students and teachers, 7 OISCA trainees, and 2 OISCA staff.

Promising community leaders are growing

Assumption AUP School is located along the national road 212 in Bathery, Wayanad District. The school has participated in CFP because teachers wanted to teach children knowledge of flowers and trees.

The children are, not only getting knowledge on trees, but learning many things such as how to plant by tree species and way of taking care of them through practical activities. The children are enjoying, in addition to tree planting, studies on organic agriculture and making a school vegetable garden. 

Voice of joy to first tree planting !

This school is located in an environment where the temperature difference is large; it goes up to 40℃ in summer and goes down to 8℃ in winter. In order to protect children from the severe sunshine, they chose fruit trees and tree species which can bear the cold in winter and planted them at the school. 

Creating opportunities to move learning into action

DADUL Elementary School is located in East New Britain Province. There are 140students in the school. Teachers were worried about how to teach to students about environment conservation, and they asked OISCA what they should do for environmental conservation.

As for the first activity, OISCA’s coordinator and trainees played an environmental drama. The drama was a fun and students have understood the importance of environment.

Content in tree planting activity, they planted castanospermum which could be good building materials and several species of fruit bearing trees.

School forest is inherited by students

St Joseph Napapar Primary School is located in East New Britain Province.

Around the school, deforestation, flood and landslide occurred due to expanding plantation. In regard to the problems, teachers thought what they should do for solving the problems and inspected CFP activity of other schools. Ultimately teachers consulted with OISCA staffs and they have started CFP activities.

Working hard despite the harsh environment!

GweGon Middle School is located in the extreme north of Yezagyo.

It takes about 30 minutes from the main road by motor cycle.

The barren land is not easy for growing plants due to lots of rocks.

The school teachers consulted with OISCA for improving environment around the school .OISCA staff advised the teachers to take part in CFP. Then they started CFP activities in 2017.

School　forest passed down from seniors to junior

 Khan Sart Post Middle School is located in the western part of Yezagyo.

Due to be barren land, they cultivate only Tanaka trees used as sunscreen instead of crops. They used to cultivate rice 20years ago, but in recent year, can’t cultivate any crops due to water shortage and unstable climate.

That’s why they started CFP in 2008 to bring back be dry land to be moist again.

The long-term activities are beginning to bear fruit. The trees have grown up bigger and have made the shade. The children are now able to study and play in the shade of trees in the schoolyard and a pleasant wind has begun to blow.

Thanks to the water tank, they can water trees even in the dry season. Consequently, the seedlings are growing steadily without withering. As for other activities, they focus on the separation of garbage. Some students practice it at home with their parents.

Activities that make use of the learned knowledge

This school is in Sabah state. The school has continued activity positive with OISCA since 2013. They have focused on Planting tree in the school and organic farming, 3R campaign. They were taught about rule of wasting separation by OISCA coordinator.

Selamat petang

 My name is Siti. I am a third grade of SK Chi Vun Elemnntary School. I stay in dormitory usually because my house is one hour away from school by car .

Aiming for a comfortable school

SK Ladang Sapong is located in Sabah state. There are no trees in the schoolyard and they were worried about exhaust gas. In 2017, They participated in the "CFP" with the desire to make the environment where children can concentrate on studying , and also want local people to be interested in the environment.

Participating Children forest program

Xilinhot No.6 High School is located in Xilinhot city in inner Mongolian Autonomous Region eastern part and there are 5,060 students. This school opened in 1993 and relatively new school. The school has done advanced education as model school of region.

They are interested in environmental conservation and greening. They focus on environmental education so that they are received recommendation by local government.

Student Volunteer thinks about environmental issues

School of Foreign Languages Shanxi Normal University is located in Northwest China in the ancient capital Xi'an. The University focuses on education. The university has English and Russian courses besides Japanese, and graduates are employed in Japanese companies in the northwest area.

The warmth of the Japanese people is still the same

Every year, OISCA conducts a unique project named “Children’s Goodwill Ambassadors” under the Children’s Forest Program (CFP) inviting to Japan a few children from the Asian and Pacific countries for visiting various places related to forest development and environmental conservation as well as for carrying out exchange activities with Japanese children.

In October 2018, Mr. Jan Lester Bisco, a Filipino who is now working as a financial analyst in a communications company in Manila, visited Japan for the first time in 18 years.

Children’s Forest Program (CFP) in Myanmar

Teaching materials on environmental education compiled, expected to contribute to further reinvigoration of activities at participating schools

Yesagyo Township, Magway Region where DOA-OISCA Agroforestry Training Center is located, is in the harsh climatic conditions with the annual average rainfall of 500mm. Moreover, deforestation is progressing due to over-felling of forests for firewood. Against this background, OISCA, considering that teaching materials and opportunities for raising awareness of the youth on environmental conservation are lacking, has carried out for two years since January 2017 environmental education including tree planting activities in getting the support of the “Toyota Grant Program for Environmental Activities of Toyota Motor Corporation. 

CFP 2018 Eco Camp in Fiji

OISCA Fiji organized Eco Camp at Natutale Primary School, located in southern　part of Viti Levu Island, Fiji. The three-day camp from 4 Dec. – 6 Dec. 2018 was participated in by 50 schoolchildren including pupils from Natutale Primary, Nasivikoso Primary and Namataku District Schools. It also involved the police station of Keiasi.

Let’s protect our FURUSATO (hometown) !

Tadsanab Watpaco School is Ayuttaya municipal school. Since the school is located near a river, the school premise is sometimes inundated when there is a large amount of water in the rainy season. Accordingly, the principal and teachers who recognized the need of environmental education including practical guidance at school consulted with OISCA and the activities started. 

Not defeated by difficulties, school forest children foster

Fulbari School is located in a rural town of the southwestern part in Bangladesh. As there is a big river nearby, agriculture is thriving. On the other hand, the area is facing a problem of river flooding in the rainy season. In order to solve this problem and to raise environmental awareness of students, the school participated in CFP since 2014. 

Started activities getting the understanding of the community

Kalabogi Sunderban is located in the southwestern part of Bangladesh. Before the start of activities, there was no greenery and the environmental awareness of students and teachers was not high. In this situation, OISCA coordinators and the school principal had a meeting and also a briefing was held for teachers and parents in order to smoothly carry out the activities.

Daily efforts is recognized by the government

SMK Plus Alfarhan High School is located at the foot of Mt. Gede Pangrango. Most of the people are engaged in agriculture in this area. They lost their forest which has water retaining function  & biodiversity because of over cultivation of the land. In 2015, there, they started the CFP to recover the rich forest and educate children to be environment friendly.

 In 2017, they planted 506 fruits and native trees such as guava, Barringtonia asiaticas, and seedlings of local species.  Local CFP coordinator is very active; they have tried many activities such as taking care of seedlings and separating garbage without OISCA-staff. 

 The long-awaited activity started

MI TARBIYATUSSHIBYAN Primary School is located in Desa Pasir Buncir village. Most  people are farmers or bike/taxi drivers and they earn small income and are leading harsh daily life. Near the village, sand mining is thriving, but on the other hand there are some problems such as air pollution and water contamination. Although they had a large ground, they couldn’t make full use of it and didn’t have any knowledge or experience of using the ground effectively. Therefore, the teachers of this school have consulted with OISCA staff and they have started CFP.

Magandang hapon!

My name is Marie , and I go to Magapuy Elementary School in Nueva Vizcaya. I’m living in an agricultural place with wide rice and cornfield. Surround of My house is the beauty of the green color of rice and corn so I’m very proud of this beauty of my place and I’m also proud that my “Furusato (home town)” is a place where there is always a good harvest of rice and corn. 

Let’s grow up with seedlings

The Tugunan Elementary school is a small school, and has 79 students. The school location is very much struggling especially in transportation because of unpaved roadway, so OISCA’s coordinators need to walk 3hours to reach this school. The school decided to start OISCA’s Children’s Forest Program (CFP) activities, because teachers hope to make the opportunities for children to think about the environmental preservation.

 The opportunity to realize the plentiful of diversity

The Kimmalaba Elementary School decided to start OISCA’s Children’s Forest Program (CFP) activities in 2008, and now various fruit trees which children planted have grown well in the school ground. In 2017, children planted 100 seedlings mainly native tree species, and continue to care them. Moreover, Children enjoyed studying the importance of caring their surrounding environment. Students tried to handicraft using recycled materials. They got wildly excited about making new products out of garbage.

Children’s Forest Program (CFP) in Mexico

Expanding seedling raising activity for the protection of the historical environment

Presently, Children’s Forest Program (CFP) has been carried out in 36 countries and areas of the world. In Mexico’s Tehuacan-Cuicatlan Valley area, children are tackling CFP activities to protect the historical environment.

In this area said to be the birthplace of Mesoamerica civilization, the valuable ecosystem of the North American semi-arid zone including various species of cacti is preserved and the area was designated as the World Heritage by UNESCO in 2018. 

OISCA members, CFP school's students and many friends participated actively in the Green Wave 2018!

The Green Wave is a global biodiversity campaign to educate children and youth about biodiversity. Towards 2020, last year of the United Nations Decade on Biodiversity (2011-2020), the United Nations has been appealing more vigorously for its promotion worldwide. 

2018 CFP Children’s GoodwillAmbassadors

-Philippine and Thai Children’s Goodwill Ambassadors visited Japan, deepened learning and pledged promoting CFP activities

From June 4 to 13, OISCA invited

to Japan a total of 6 persons, 2 school children and a coordinator each from Abra Province, the Philippines and Khon Kaen Province, Thailand under the Children’s Forest Program (CFP). They visited Japanese supporting companies for exchange activities and observed various efforts for environmental conservation in Tokyo, Saitama Prefecture, Hokkaido and Miyagi Prefecture.

They learned the importance of life

Bure I Vanua District School is located in RA a province on the main island in Fiji. The school new teacher who had planted trees in another school, wanted to start planting trees with students in this school. Therefore the school has started CFP.

The school is located in the rural area, so the students’ parents have a small income, and the nutritional condition of the students is not good. According by, in the first, they made chicken coop and started poultry raising program. By not only eating good meal but also raising chicken, they have learned the importance of life and feelings to appreciate food.

The Nadroumai Primary School, to be a model school of CFP

Nadroumai Primary School is located in Viti Levu Island and most of the students come from 5 surrounding villages. (Viti Levu Island is the main island in Fiji.) and they live in a dormitory. The school principal wanted to plant trees with students, so they joined the CFP in 1993.The school has carried out various activities for over 20 years and they have been doing new challenge with advices from the former students. It is a pioneer in CFP in this region.

The activity in which everyone wants to participate

The Tuol Pen Primary school is a very small

school with only young pupils from grade 1-3. It is very hard to reach there in the rainy season because of the unpaved slippery rood and sticky soil. In the rainy season, sometimes pupils have no classes because their old

classroom’s roof leaks badly. They had a large ground but there were no tree and no shade which protect the children from the hot weather in dry season. That’s why they requested OISCA to start the CFP.

Children’s awareness grows with trees

Toul Meas Primary School is located in a rural area about 38km away from the capital of Kampong Cham Province. The School had wide schoolyard with fertile soil, but there was no tree and no shade for children to rest. The school principal wanted to plant trees with students and promote awareness program for environment conservation. That is why the CFP activity was started in this school.

Report on the Current CFP Activities in Sabah, Eastern Malaysia

Recently, OISCA Sabah in Eastern Malaysia organized a series of tree planting events. The first one was held on the afternoon of April 25 at Kungkular School and was joined by about 40 people including school teachers, parents and OISCA trainees. The participants planted herbs and flowers. Since the land area of the school was of red soil, they had to apply some compost before planting.

Various Countries including

Japan Participated in the Green Wave 2017

The Green Wave is a global biodiversitycampaign which the Secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity (SCBD)of the United Nations has advocated and is calling for participation in greening by young people. It is celebrated globally before and after May 22 –the International Day for Biological Diversity. OISCA concluded in 2016 a basic agreement with SCBD for promoting conservation of biological diversity and PR activities, and has been carrying out tree planting activities mainly through schools participating in the Children’s Forest Program (CFP). This year, it actively conducted the Green Wave campaign in Japan and overseas.

Towards activities spreading

from children to adults

   This school which has 162 students is located in Khulna, the third largest city in Bangladesh. It joined CFP in 2016, but until then, the students were not so interested in environmental activities. The teachers, however, felt a sense of crisis over the natural disasters which frequently occurred in the country in recent years and started activities in the hope of minimizing damage even a little. 

Let’s protect the disappearing nature of FURUSATO

   The school is located 2 km away from the village and is surrounded by rice fields. The whole school is carrying out environmental protection activities, and the participating students are enthusiastically taking care of the seedlings planted. Thanks to the daily efforts of the children, the 110 seedlings planted in 2016 are growing well. They planted such trees as Afzelia Xylocarpa, Cassia Fistula and teak. Afzelia Xylocarpa is almost gone because of deforestation. Through planting these local tree species, the children are recognizing the original richness of nature. 

Just joined CFP!

   This school which joined the Children’s Forest Program (CFP) in 2016 carried out activities raising the slogan “Let one person plant a tree and take care of it throughout the year”. On July 13, 100 students and 11 adults together with representatives of the local NGO: RUSA (Rural & Urban Problem Solve Association) and government officials planted 100 seedlings of mahogany and other species. In the tree planting, the students and adults all got excited just like in a festival. 

Just joined CFP!

 This school is located in a peaceful countryside about 5 km away from the national road. Since it is on the high ground, there is no flooding damage even during the rainy season.  There are no trees for shade in the schoolyard, and CFP activities started in 2016 in the wake of the call by the school principal for planting trees. 

As result of planting, seedlings budded !

 The school is surrounded by mountains. When it is fine weather, Mr. Kinabalu, Malaysia’s highest mountain, can be seen from the school yard. The area is surrounded by rich greenery. But in the face of the rapidly progressing destruction of forests, the school joined CFP in order to educate the students about the importance of environmental conservation and protection.

Just joined CFP !

This school has 78 students and is located in Sukabumi, West Java Province. A student who had participated in CFP as a child, became the principal of the school and wanted his school also tackle the activities and joined in 2016. Beforehand, The CFP coordinator conducted a seminar for the principal and teachers on the significance of CFP activities, and then explained to students and their parents the importance and method of environmental conservation.

Pleasantly practicing delicious vegetable growing!

   This school is located in the rural area away from the city. The school has carried out various activities for over 20 years since it joined CFP. In recent years, it has conducted tree planting focused on fruit bearing trees, the nutrition source for children and also ornamental trees for beautification of the village.

   The parents of school children are mostly engaged in agriculture, but the children don’t really know the harmful effects of fertilizers and agricultural chemicals used in agriculture. 

Just joined CFP!

   This school is located in the mountainous area in the Viti Levu Island. It joined CFP in 2016. In the first activity, they planted local tree species. Through these practical activities, they are hoping that children would come to know the rich nature of their FURUSATO and would be able to take an action for the conservation of the disappearing local tree species.

Children struggle

to fight against desertification!

   In this school located in the heart of Alashan, they are putting effort on environmental beautification. The area is dry highlands with annual rainfalls of 400mm, only one-third of Tokyo and the average temperature in winter is minus 11 degrees Celsius. The surrounding area is desert where plants are sparse. As there are many children who have no experience in tackling anti-desertification, the school joined CFP to carry out practical environmental education. 

Aiming to develop

green FURUSATO

   This school is a large school with 1,200 students located in the eastern part of Xilinhot City, Inner Mongolia. Since the school is for the ethnic Mongolian people, the students are mostly children of nomads and very sensitive about the desertification problem which is directly related with their family business. The CFP activities started in 2014 in the strong hope of improving the local environment. In the past, the activities have focused on environmental education such as seminars, but in 2016, they planted shrub named Salix psammophila effective for preventing dust.

Forest development

which brings many blessings

   SDN 2 Ngemplak is an elementary school with 114 pupils located in Karanganyar, Central Java Province. In this school which is taking part in CFP since 1993, the trees planted by school children are steadily growing and providing cool environment with shades. As they are carrying out activities in close cooperation with the local community, they could utilize the land owned by the village as a planting site and have developed it as a small forest. 

Just joined CFP !

 This school is small with only 36 pupils. Previously it was located in a village close to the major river. But due to floods and landslides, the villagers had to evacuate from their former residences and moved to the present location. The school also moved from the river side, and was rebuilt in 2016 with the help of OISCA members and other Japanese donors.

When awareness changes, behavior also changes !

 This school is located in Yezagyo Township of the central arid region. As the area is close to the Chindwin River, plants can grow easily compared to other areas. The villagers are engaged in farming and are growing mostly beans. They started CFP activities in 2007. In 2016, they planted Neem which can also serves as medicine, Siris which grows fast and Gold Mohur which provides good shades with widely spreading branches.

Just joined CFP  !

 The school is located in a mountainous community that has a famous water rafting spot. It joined CFP just in March 2017. The principal of another CFP participating school moved to this school and requested OISCA for starting CFP activities. In the first activity, they planted 65 seedlings of mainly fruit-bearing trees such as Pomelo, Mangosteen and Langsat. The children are looking forward to seeing that the seedlings they planted would bear fruits. Grasecencelly Pilineus, 12-years old students, said that she was very happy in the actual tree planting activity because it was her first time to do it.

Just joined CFP !

 This school is located in Compostela Valley Province located in the southeastern part of Mindanao Island, Southern Philippines. The school decided to start CFP activities in 2016 in the hope that the students would be able to have a better place of studying and playing, and also trees would give them clean air to breathe.

Just joined CFP !

   This school participated in CFP in 2016 with the hope of protecting children from natural disasters by planting trees around the school. The sense of crisis for an increasing number of disasters in recent years fueled to join the activity.

   In the first activity, they planted hardwood species to be used as timber and fruit bearing trees. By growing fruit bearing species, they can sell fruits to earn income for school. 

Recycling activities enriching imagination

 This school is located on Palawan Island, Southwestern part of the Philippines. It is along the highway, but the beautiful sea is nearby. Around the school which joined CFP in 1997, there are growing trees planted by school children. Some years ago, they experienced floods due to heavy rains, but the grown trees mitigated the disaster damage.

Fostering awareness for working for FURUSATO

   The school is located in the rural area which is recognized by the government as part of the conservation area. For this reason, illegal logging is strictly controlled and the conservation of forests is strongly promoted. School children are also very interested in protecting trees, and it is recognized by the government as a school actively involved in environmental activities. In 2016, they planted teak and germelina, and held an environmental workshop to tell the children about what sort of impact tree planting would give to global environment and also thought together on what they would be able to do for the environment.

Just joined CFP!

   This school is located at Ganthiriyawa Village near the central part of Sri Lanka. The school joined CFP in 2016 with a view to restoring the previous rich forest and revitalizing environmental conservation activities at the school and in the community. OISCA coordinators held a series of pre-briefing sessions on the significance of the activities first to the principal and teachers, then to the local residents and children. After getting their understanding, full-fledged activities started.