Even with such challenges as high inflation, donor flight and fuel problems, 2005 was a successful year for Tree Africa. From being a small project, yet ambitious project, Tree Africa increased its activities and staff to close the year with a team of over 15, including volunteers and staff. Different tree related activities were initiated in 2005 in cooperation with local and international partners. Common to all the activities was a focused strategy looking at scientific research, training, awareness and implementation of in-field demonstration plots. Especially, the focus on linking trees and herbs to health and nutrition was a valued contribution for implementing practical and sustainable solutions towards the fight against malnutrition and HIV/AIDS in the country and improving nutritional levels of the people.

A significant achievement and an example of south-south cooperation was the regionalisation of the programme with the opening of the Tree Africa office in Lusaka.

During 2005 new collaborative partners were identified and new relationships established. Many project plans were developed and the challenge for 2006 will be the fulfilment of these.

Zambia highlights

• The Tree Africa office was opened in Lusaka. Hosted by the National Technology Business Centre (NTBC), it is taffed by a country representative and has already identified partners and potential projects.

• Memoranda of understanding promoting awareness and implementing improved nutrition and income generation activities was been signed with four partners - NTBC, NISIR, ASNAPP and FOSUP.

• Training in nutritional gardening, cultivation and utilization of the Moringa tree was undertaken in partnership with the Mututa Memorial women and youth community group.

• 1000 pamphlets on utilization of the Moringa tree as a nutritional food supplement were distributed in cooperation with NTBC.

• Tree Africa gave presentations to stakeholders in Northern and Lusaka provinces, and exhibited at two trade shows in Zambia and at the regional conference on Making Quality Matter hosted by ASNAPP

• Tree Africa secured financial support from DanChurch Aid, and identified potential donors and partners.

• Tree Africa technically assisted with research on using Moringa leaves as fish-feed in cooperation with Zimbabwean and Danish partners.

Zimbabwe highlights

• In 2005 Tree Africa went into a partnership with Harare Municipality to use nursery space and equipment at the City's Hillside nursery. The partnership included training of municipal staff and pupils from neighbouring schools in nutrition gardening. Some 7 500 Moringa trees, 5 000 Jatropha trees and 1 500 herbs were propagated at the nursery.

• Expanded Moringa research activities were undertaken in partnership with the Plant Quarantine Service at Mazowe. Eight different provenances and three different varieties of Moringa oleifera from different places in the world were propagated in greenhouses and research on nutritional values in the leaf, growth, pest diseases, oil conditions etc, were carried out. Establishment of in situ seed bank trials in Mazowe and 11 other places around the country were established. A total of 1 500 trees were planted as seed banks and 11,000 Moringa seedlings produced in Mazowe were distributed. Two local university students were attached to this programme to undertake research.

• In April 2005 Tree Africa hosted a conference on Moringa and Nutrition, attended by over 100 participants from 35 different organisations. This was supported by the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO).

• Comprehensive nutrition baseline surveys were carried out in Rusape district, Zimbabwe and in Lusaka, Zambia. The surveys examined current nutritional status among under-fives and proposed guidelines for introducing Moringa leaves to communities as a nutritional food supplement. The findings of the surveys were published and showed the need for introduction of Moringa as a possible resource in a balanced diet among the target group.

• Tree Africa was involved in further research on alternative utilization of the Moringa leaf powder used as feed for Tilapia (bream) fish and as complementary feed for chickens when combined with the new QPM variety of maize. Tree Africa contributed with seed, seedlings and technical know-how.

• Information materials on improved nutrition and income generation were produced and distributed, including 6000 pamphlets on utilization and cultivation of Moringa, and a further 2 000 on cultivation of Jatropha curcas for farmers and farmer groups. Some 25 articles on improved livelihoods were published in different media. A herb manual for featuring 12 essential herbs was produced for field workers. A total of 27 presentations on nutrition gardening, Jatropha and bio- diesel were given at workshops, seminars and conferences in and outside the country. Tree Africa exhibited at the Food Fair, Harare Agricultural show, Rotary conference in Victoria Falls, Mukuvisi Woodland Country Fair and at the SADC conference in Mazowe.

• In Victoria Falls, Rusape and Chiweshe Tree Africa promoted Jatropha oil soap-making, and tree planting for live fences and bio-diesel production. High quality seed collection, grading and sales to local and international growers were carried out local communities for income generation.

• A nutrition garden was established at UNICEF and other Moringa and nutrition gardens were set up at Chiedza Orphanage and Kafunda Community Health Centre, benefiting more than 300 people.

Tree Africa is now firmly established and will be looking for funding partners in 2006 to assist with its vision to help improve the health and livelihoods of the people of Africa.