Zomba Forest Lodge welcomed return of Run4Reforestation

Zomba Forest Lodge, located deep within the forest woodlands of Malawi’s Zomba Plateau, proudly welcomed the return of  Run4Reforestation last month, arranged by not for profit organisation Zomba Treez. The one-day fundraiser event, which took place on Saturday 10th September 2022 saw avid runners of all ages from around the country compete to raise funds.

The Zomba event included three separate categories for the runners to compete in. A beginners 5k race, a more challenging 10k race, and a 21k race designed to challenge professional athletes. The event was coordinated from Sunbird Ku Chawe on the Zomba Plateau.

An incredible MK6,750,000 was raised for the event, made up of participants as well as fundraisers from around the world that couldn’t be there in person, whether that be through running, walking, cycling or swimming!

The purpose of the event, now comfortably part of the annual sporting calendar for Malawi, was to raise funds for the Zomba TREEZ conservation project, set up by Zomba Forest Lodge.  They have been working with local communities and the Forestry Department for many years to replant trees across 18 hectares.

The money from this year’s fundraiser will be spent on fire patrols and tools, sports teams and conservation group sponsorship, sponsorship of the Zomba Tour Guides, helping to spread environmental awareness messages through song recording, and hopefully another environmental awareness concert next July. This coming rainy season, Zomba Forest Lodge will be replanting areas on their side of the Plateau too; AND they are also working on a model whereby lump sums would be granted to groups to spend on income generating projects of their choosing and in exchange the groups commit to environmental work.

Find out more about the event in the video below. And to donate to the fundraiser, head over to the JustGiving page here.