Almost 30 years ago a TV news report on the famine in Ethiopia moved the world and led to one of the most successful charity concerts of all time.
The famine in the early 1980s will be forever remembered for the fact it led to the Live Aid concert and entered the consciousness of a nation.
But the events in Ethiopia also led to the creation of a charity in Bristol which is still going strong to this day. Tree Aid was set up by a group of experts working as tree surgeons who called themselves the Bristol Foresters.
The aim of the foresters was simple – to use their expertise to help the people of Ethiopia and Africa.
The group has helped to plant and cultivate trees which help to alleviate drought conditions and also provide food.
Tree Aid is still based in Bristol but now has 5,000 supporters across the country and boasts actress Joanna Lumley as one of its main backers.
The efforts of the charity have now been widened out to an area of eastern Africa known as the drylands.
Countries in the area include Niger, Chad and the Sudan.
A spokesperson said: “We help villagers in the drylands of Africa unlock the potential of trees to break this cycle of environmental decline and poverty.
“The aim is to help create self-reliance for poor communities building not only their chances of survival but also their dignity and respect.
“At the same time, we help poor people invest in their environment, building its richness and health not just for today but for generations to come.
“It’s what we call a ‘two for one’ solution that breaks the cycle of poverty and environmental decline and offers a sustainable way forward for people across the Sahel.”
The latest project the charity is involved in is importing baobab trees to the region.
Fundraising manager Sarah Moore is involved in the project.
She said: “We help villagers in the drylands unlock the potential of trees to break this cycle of environmental decline and poverty.
“We help create self-reliance for poor communities building not only their chances of survival but also their dignity and respect.
“At the same time, we help poor people invest in their environment, building its richness and health not just for today but for generations to come.”
She added: “For the families we work with, food is scarce from March through to September.
“The Baobab fruit can be harvested from May onwards, providing vital nutrients when there is not much else is available in the landscape.”
