Bam: The Association of Youth for the Protection of the Environment and Livestock (AJPEE) of Kongoussi handed over a batch of 200 neem plants to five primary schools in Bam province to enhance shaded areas and promote environmental education at the grassroots level.

According to Burkina Information Agency, the beneficiary schools include Darigma, Kora, Loulouka A, Sainte-Therese de l'Enfant Jesus, and the school in sector 5 of Kongoussi. Each institution received 40 neem plants along with maintenance equipment comprising 10 watering cans, 10 buckets, 10 shovels, 10 pickaxes, 10 crowbars, and 40 plant protectors.

Wilfried Sawadogo, president of AJPEE, stated that this initiative is part of an ongoing effort launched in 2008 with Action for Greening Sahel (AGS/Japan) to support schools in creating school groves. He expressed that the plants will enhance learning conditions and raise students' awareness of environmental protection.

Ms. Aminata Sawadogo, representing the provincial director of Preschool, Primary and Non-Formal Education (DPEPPNF) for Bam, commended the solid partnership between the provincial directorate and AJPEE. She expressed confidence that the initiative will strengthen students' appreciation for environmental preservation.

Mahamadou Zoungrana, the provincial director of Water and Forests of Bam, congratulated AJPEE, noting that the initiative aligns with the Ministry of Environment, Water and Sanitation's guidelines on the restoration and protection of vegetation cover.

Quarterly monitoring will be organized jointly by the Water and Forestry Department, the DPEPPNF of Bam, and AJPEE. The best-performing school will receive an award at an official ceremony.