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The Woman Who Planted Millions of Trees

W. Somerset Maugham

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Wangari Maathai was a Kenyan environmental activist who planted over 30 million trees in her lifetime. Her work helped to restore forests, improve soil quality, and provide a source of income for local communities. Maathai's story is an inspiring example of how one person can make a difference in the world.

Early Life and Education

Wangari Maathai was born in Nyeri, Kenya, in 1940. She was the daughter of a farmer and a teacher. Maathai's parents instilled in her a love of nature and a strong work ethic. She attended school in Kenya and the United States, earning a degree in biology from Mount Saint Scholastica College in Atchison, Kansas.

Wangari Maathai: The Woman Who Planted Millions of Trees

by Franck Prévot

4.8 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	10539 KB
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Print length	:	48 pages

Environmental Activism

Maathai began her environmental activism in the early 1970s. She was concerned about the deforestation that was occurring in Kenya. Deforestation was causing soil erosion, water shortages, and a loss of biodiversity. Maathai founded the Green Belt Movement in 1977 to address these issues. The Green Belt Movement planted trees to restore forests, improve soil quality, and provide a source of income for local communities.

Maathai's work was not without its challenges. She was often arrested and harassed by the Kenyan government. However, she never gave up on her mission to plant trees. In 2004, Maathai was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for her work.

Legacy

Wangari Maathai died of cancer in 2011. However, her legacy continues to live on. The Green Belt Movement has planted over 30 million trees in Kenya and other countries around the world. Maathai's work has helped to restore forests, improve soil quality, and provide a source of income for local communities. She is an inspiration to environmental activists around the world.