Plant One Tree

🌍 A Heartfelt Thank You | International Youth Day 2026

What began as a conversation became a powerful exchange of ideas, experiences, and possibilities for youth-led action. 🌱

Plant One Tree (POT) Lesotho extends its sincere gratitude to every speaker, participant, partner, and young person who made our International Youth Day 2026 Webinar meaningful under the theme “Different Contexts, Common Aspirations.”

From discussions on youth-led climate action and community resilience to the importance of environmental education, climate-smart agriculture, and international collaboration, the webinar reminded us that our circumstances may differ, but our aspirations are deeply connected.

A key message stood out: young people should not only be prepared for the future — they must be empowered to shape it.

The conversations around starting with young people in schools and communities, establishing POT Clubs, sharing knowledge across borders, and strengthening local and international partnerships are important steps towards turning ideas into practical action.

We are especially grateful to our inspiring speakers for sharing their experiences and perspectives, and to everyone who took the time to participate, engage, ask questions, and contribute to the dialogue.

Our sincere appreciation also goes to our partners and supporters — European Union UNICEF and IOM — for supporting spaces that allow young people to connect, learn, collaborate, and lead.

The webinar may have ended, but the conversation continues.

Because when young people are equipped with the knowledge, skills, confidence, and opportunities to act, they do more than participate in change — they become its drivers. 🌍🌱

Different contexts. Common aspirations. One generation with the power to make a difference.

Plant One Tree, Save One Planet!!! 🌱🌍

We're live! 🌍

The International Youth Day 2026 Webinar is now underway, bringing together inspiring youth leaders from Uganda, South Sudan, Liberia, and Lesotho to explore this year's theme, "Different Contexts, Common Aspirations."

Join us as we engage in meaningful conversations on youth leadership, climate action, international cooperation, and sustainable development.

🔗 Join us live: https://meet.google.com/skd-jwib-ehr

Let's learn, connect, and shape a better future—together.

🌱 Plant One Tree. Save One Planet.

🌍 INTERNATIONAL YOUTH DAY 2026 WEBINAR

Theme: Different Contexts, Common Aspirations

Join Plant One Tree (POT) Lesotho as we commemorate International Youth Day 2026 with an inspiring virtual dialogue that brings together young leaders from across Africa to share ideas, experiences, and solutions for a more sustainable and inclusive future.

This year's webinar will explore the power of youth leadership, international cooperation, climate action, and sustainable development, highlighting how young people from different contexts can work together towards common aspirations.

🎙 Featured Speakers

🇺🇬 Elizabeth Nandera – Uganda
Founding Director, United Soaring Youth Africa

🇸🇸 Yoal Wuol Lim – South Sudan
Founding Director, Lim Nguen Foundation

🇱🇷 Ezekiel Nyanfor – Liberia
Executive Coordinator, African Youth Initiative on Climate Change (AYICC)

📅 Date: Wednesday, 12 August 2026
🕙 Time: 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM (SAST)
💻 Platform: Google Meet
🔗 Join here: https://meet.google.com/skd-jwib-ehr

Be part of this continental conversation as we celebrate the role of young people in driving climate resilience, innovation, and sustainable development. Together, let's learn, connect, and inspire action beyond borders.

We look forward to welcoming you!

🌱 Plant One Tree. Save One Planet.

🌍 INTERNATIONAL YOUTH DAY 2026 WEBINAR

Theme: Different Contexts, Common Aspirations

Join Plant One Tree (POT) Lesotho as we commemorate International Youth Day 2026 with an inspiring virtual dialogue that brings together young leaders from across Africa to share ideas, experiences, and solutions for a more sustainable and inclusive future.

This year's webinar will explore the power of youth leadership, international cooperation, climate action, and sustainable development, highlighting how young people from different contexts can work together towards common aspirations.

🎙 Featured Speakers

🇺🇬 Elizabeth Nandera – Uganda
Founding Director, United Soaring Youth Africa

🇸🇸 Yoal Wuol Lim – South Sudan
Founding Director, Lim Nguen Foundation

🇱🇷 Ezekiel Nyanfor – Liberia
Executive Coordinator, African Youth Initiative on Climate Change (AYICC)

📅 Date: Wednesday, 12 August 2026
🕙 Time: 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM (SAST)
💻 Platform: Google Meet
🔗 Join here: https://meet.google.com/skd-jwib-ehr

Be part of this continental conversation as we celebrate the role of young people in driving climate resilience, innovation, and sustainable development. Together, let's learn, connect, and inspire action beyond borders.

We look forward to welcoming you!

🌱 Plant One Tree. Save One Planet.

🌍 International Youth Day 2026 | Speaker Series

The countdown to International Youth Day 2026 has begun, and we're excited to introduce the first of several inspiring speakers who will be joining us to share their knowledge, experiences, and vision for a more sustainable future.

We are pleased to feature Elizabeth Nandera from Uganda, whose session will explore how international cooperation can strengthen youth-led initiatives, foster climate resilience, and amplify the voices of young people on the global stage.

Her perspective will highlight the importance of collaboration across borders and the role young people play in driving meaningful environmental and social change.

This is only the beginning. Over the coming days, we will be introducing more outstanding speakers from different backgrounds and countries, each bringing unique insights and experiences to enrich the conversation.

Interested in learning more about Elizabeth and her work? Connect with her on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nandera-elizabeth-fortunate-476987281?utm_source=share_via&utm_content=profile&utm_medium=member_android

Stay connected as we reveal the full lineup and celebrate young leaders who are shaping a greener, more resilient future for all.

We extend our sincere gratitude to our partners—the European Union, UNICEF, and IOM Lesotho—for their continued support of the Youth Power Hub Project and for investing in youth-led climate action and sustainable development.

🌱 Plant One Tree, Save One Planet!

🌱 The Countdown Begins.

Spring is almost here, bringing with it the season of renewal, growth, and hope. Across Lesotho, the return of warmer soils and seasonal rains creates the perfect conditions for one of the most powerful actions we can take for our environment—planting trees.

Every tree planted is an investment in our future. It captures carbon, restores degraded land, protects our water sources, enriches biodiversity, provides shade, and strengthens communities against the growing impacts of climate change. What begins as a small seed today can become a lasting legacy for generations to come.

At Plant One Tree (POT) Lesotho, we're preparing for another impactful planting season—and this year, we want more people than ever to be part of the movement. Whether you're a learner, teacher, community leader, business, institution, or simply someone who cares about the future of our planet, there is a place for you in this journey.

Now is the time to start planning. Think about the spaces in your community that need more trees. Prepare your schools, homes, workplaces, and neighbourhoods. Together, we can restore our landscapes, strengthen climate resilience, and build a greener, healthier Lesotho.

🌳 This spring, let's plant more than trees. Let's plant hope, resilience, and a future we can all be proud of.

Plant One Tree. Save One Planet. 💚

🌱 Reflecting on a Successful Climate Adaptation Toolkit Validation Workshop

Yesterday, Plant One Tree (POT) successfully hosted the Climate Adaptation Toolkit Validation Workshop under the Youth Power Hub Project, bringing together representatives from government, development partners, educational institutions, civil society, and environmental practitioners to strengthen a shared vision for climate resilience in Lesotho.

The workshop provided an opportunity to review and validate the toolkit while gathering valuable recommendations to make it more practical, inclusive, and accessible. Key feedback included simplifying technical language, contextualizing climate concepts for Lesotho, improving visual content, strengthening consistency, and incorporating the link between climate change and mental well-being.

We sincerely thank everyone who contributed their expertise and insights throughout the workshop. Your participation has helped strengthen a resource that will empower young people and communities to lead climate adaptation efforts across Lesotho.

Our heartfelt appreciation goes to our valued partners—the European Union in Lesotho , UNICEF Lesotho and Iom Lesotho — for their continued support of the Youth Power Hub Project. We also extend our sincere gratitude to Lesotho for generously providing UNESCO Hall, creating an excellent space for collaboration and meaningful dialogue.

Together, we are strengthening partnerships, empowering youth, and building a more climate-resilient Lesotho.

🌍 Plant One Tree. Save One Planet.

🌱 Today marks an important milestone for Plant One Tree (POT) and the Youth Power Hub Project.

Today, we are bringing together government representatives, development partners, educators, civil society organizations, and environmental experts for the Climate Adaptation Toolkit Validation Meeting. This is a critical step towards ensuring that the toolkit is practical, inclusive, and responsive to the realities faced by young people and communities across Lesotho.

The toolkit has been developed to equip youth with the knowledge, skills, and practical tools needed to address climate change through climate adaptation, climate-smart agriculture, water conservation, irrigation, rainwater harvesting, environmental stewardship, early warning systems, disaster preparedness, and community action. Our goal is to empower young people not only to understand climate challenges but to become active leaders in building resilient communities.

Today's validation is more than a review of documents—it is an opportunity for stakeholders to share expertise, strengthen partnerships, and ensure that the toolkit reflects both scientific knowledge and the lived experiences of Basotho communities. By working together, we are creating a resource that can be confidently implemented in schools and communities across the country.

We extend our sincere appreciation to our valued partners—European Union in Lesotho, UNICEF Lesotho , and Iom Lesotho — for their unwavering support and commitment to empowering youth and advancing climate resilience through the Youth Power Hub Project.

Together, we are investing in knowledge, strengthening collaboration, and empowering the next generation to lead Lesotho's response to climate change.

🌍 Plant One Tree. Save One Planet.

🌱 Building stronger solutions through collaboration.

At Plant One Tree (POT), we believe that meaningful climate action begins with listening, learning, and working together.

The Climate Adaptation Toolkit Validation under the Youth Power Hub Project brings together stakeholders to review, refine, and strengthen a practical toolkit that will empower young people and communities to respond to the realities of climate change.

This validation process is more than a review—it is a collective effort to ensure that the toolkit is practical, inclusive, evidence-based, and responsive to the needs of communities across Lesotho. By working together, we are building stronger partnerships, promoting local ownership, and advancing climate resilience for future generations.

We extend our sincere gratitude to our development partners European Union in Lesotho , UNICEF Lesotho , and Lesotho for their continued support and investment in youth-led climate action through the Youth Power Hub Project. Your commitment is helping create opportunities for young people to contribute meaningfully to sustainable development and climate resilience.

Together, we are shaping solutions that will strengthen communities, protect our environment, and build a more resilient Lesotho.

🌍 Plant One Tree. Save One Planet.

🌿 Plant Spotlight: African Wormwood (Artemisia afra)
Sesotho: Lengana

For generations, Lengana has been one of Lesotho's most valued indigenous medicinal plants. More than just a shrub, it represents a rich tradition of natural healing, cultural knowledge, and the close relationship between people and the environment.

Traditionally, Basotho communities have used Lengana to help relieve symptoms associated with coughs, colds, asthma, bronchitis, and other respiratory ailments. Its leaves are commonly brewed into herbal tea or used for steam inhalation, while its natural antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant properties have made it an important part of traditional medicine for centuries.

Beyond its medicinal value, Lengana reminds us why protecting indigenous plants matters. These species have evolved alongside our ecosystems and hold ecological, cultural, and economic importance. Conserving them means preserving biodiversity, safeguarding traditional knowledge, and ensuring that future generations continue to benefit from Lesotho's rich natural heritage.

At Plant One Tree (POT), we believe that environmental conservation goes beyond planting trees—it also means protecting and celebrating the indigenous plants that sustain our health, culture, and biodiversity.

📚 Please note: This information is shared for educational purposes only. Traditional medicinal plants should not replace professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional regarding any health concerns.

🌱 Plant One Tree. Save One Planet.

🌳 Tree of the Week: Karee (Searsia lancea)

Known in Sesotho as Mokhoamphiri, the Karee is one of Southern Africa's most remarkable indigenous trees. Strong, resilient, and deeply rooted in our landscapes, it has adapted naturally to Lesotho's climate, making it an excellent choice for ecological restoration and sustainable tree planting.

The Karee can be found across many parts of Lesotho, particularly in the lowlands, foothills, riverbanks, farms, and open woodland areas. It also occurs naturally throughout South Africa, thriving in regions with hot summers, cold winters, and periodic drought.

Why is the Karee so important?

🌱 It protects the land. Its extensive root system helps stabilize soil, reducing erosion on slopes and riverbanks.

💧 It withstands harsh conditions. Naturally drought-resistant and frost-hardy, the Karee survives where many other trees struggle, making it ideal for Lesotho's changing climate.

🦅 It supports biodiversity. Its flowers provide nectar for bees and other pollinators, while its berries feed birds and small wildlife, helping to sustain healthy ecosystems.

🌿 It provides natural shade and shelter. Whether planted on farms, in schools, or around homes, the Karee creates cooler, more comfortable spaces for people and livestock.

🌍 It strengthens climate resilience. Like all healthy trees, it captures carbon dioxide, improves air quality, and contributes to restoring degraded landscapes.

Historically, local communities have also made use of its berries, which were traditionally fermented into a beverage, reflecting the tree's cultural significance alongside its environmental value.

At POT, we believe that restoring our environment begins with planting the right trees—species that belong here, thrive here, and continue supporting our people and biodiversity for generations.

🌱 When we plant indigenous trees, we are not only restoring nature—we are preserving Lesotho's natural heritage.

Plant One Tree. Save One Planet