𝐔𝐂𝐒 𝐒𝐀𝐂𝐂𝐎’𝐬 𝐆𝐑𝐄𝐄𝐍 𝐈𝐍𝐈𝐓𝐈𝐀𝐓𝐈𝐕𝐄

United Civil Servants SACCO (UCS SACCO) has yet again stamped its obligation on climate action by planting trees worth millions.

Speaking during UCS SACCO’S tree planting exercise at Kaphala Primary School in T/A Mazengera in Lilongwe, guest of honour at the event who is the Executive Director for African Cooperative Development Foundation (ACDF); a philanthropic arm of the African Confederation of Cooperative Savings and Credit Associations (ACCOSCA) and also Head of programs at ACCOSCA Grace Watsiera, said UCSSACCO is bridging the financial gap in Africa and meeting community needs to align with the slogan of ‘Changing lives’.

“ACCOSCA being a mother body of all SACCOs in Africa is committed to build a sustainable continent, and planting trees is part and parcel of that sustainability model. As SACCOs, we are mandated to changing lives; one life at a time. We want an African continent that is financially self-reliant. Nevertheless, we need to create a conducive environment that enables development to prevail,” said Watsiera.

For his part, UCS SACCO’s Chief Executive Officer Francis Waliwa, described the green initiative as one way of dealing with climate change, and therefore, giving back to the society.

“As a financial institution, we are not limited to financial operations as we also have a responsibility to restore nature through the planting of trees. We also have a role of making sure that we are not just planting but rather growing trees.

"We will work hand-in-hand with the community and the school authorities in making sure that the planted trees are well taken care of through consistent watering. We are therefore, projecting a 95% growth rate for our trees,” said Waliwa.

“I urge every Malawian to exercise a patriotic responsibility of planting trees, not as an involuntary action but with an informed understanding of the role of trees in our day-to-day lives. As UCS SACCO, we are interested in instilling a mindset change on environmental stewardship in the communities we serve,” Waliwa added.

Councillor for Sanjiko-Mazengera Ward, Paul Msiska Khongoni, gladly welcomed the initiative, describing UCS SACCO’s Green Initiative as a powerful tool to complement government efforts towards sustainable development and environmental stewardship.