Forestation Days - Youth Bringing Life Back to the Heart of Nature
A Forestation Campaign in Mahrada, Syria, with MECC
Together for a Green Environment!
Amidst all the dangers that threaten the environment and human life today, it is necessary to enhance environmental awareness and increase green activities with the aim to build a better future and a more sustainable environment. Hence, and as part of the "Season of Creation" program, the Middle East Council of Churches works with the youth in various countries of the Middle East in order to achieve the desired goals through environmental awareness and activities.
Within its ecological mission, the Middle East Council of Churches organized, with the support of the humanitarian international organization “Danmission”, a forestation campaign in the Mahrada region in Syria, as part of the “Forestation Days” project, on Saturday 11 March 2023. Participants were 50 young women and men from the Church accompanied by Father Elias Najjar and Reverend Maan Bachour.
With enthusiasm, the participants in Mahrada went early in the morning to one of the lands designated for forestation. The land is used for various agricultural needs before and after the Syrian crisis. The residents of the region benefit from it through various environmental activities, and farmers are working in the land since many years. The land is also called by many names such as Mar Gerges, Al Khoder and Mar Elias. Recently, a Church was built on this land, taking into consideration the environmental context of the site.
The youth met with the MECC team, which included members of the Eco Justice Committee, Dr. Dany El Obeid, Deacon Garen Yosulkanian and Christopher Daccache, and then started the forestation process. Thus, 200 trees were planted, which varied between Laurel, Sherbin, and Olive trees, in addition to planting a Cedar from Lebanon. In this context, each participant had the opportunity to plant at least one tree.
As well as, the program included a time for Prayer and hymns, during which the participants raised their Prayers and supplications to God the Creator, glorifying His Holy Name, in addition to a discussion on the importance of forestation in order to face climate change and secure a healthy environment that guarantees a safe life. The youth also listened to a technical explanation on tree planting, and also gathered for lunch.
The activity was characterized by an atmosphere of friendship and joy, as well as interaction on the environmental issue and the idea of forestation, as the meeting also contributed to bridging the distances between the participants and building bridges between them.
