Simon Msiska used to cut trees down for illegal charcoal producing. Living in the hills with little other source of income, Simon saw this as a way of making money. However, after meeting the Forest Conservation team, he has learnt the importance of conserving the trees and Malawi’s natural resources.

Simon said, “I quickly changed to conserving trees and I was even elected chairman of Kalani Forest Conservation Committee managing 20 members. There are so many benefits to protecting the trees from coppicing branches, reduction in soil erosion and even for growing mushrooms!”

To make their Conservation group sustainable, they plan to raise a pine tree nursery, to start bee keeping and to start a village bank to save money.