• Revisiting those moments, I smile at how a stolen mango became a life lesson. I tell this story not to glorify childhood mischief, but to show that even mistakes can turn into valuable lessons. The same tree I once stole from could one day inspire others to plant, nurture, and protect.

October 10 marks World Mazingira Day, a time when Kenyans unite to acknowledge and care for the environment through tree planting and eco-friendly practices.

This year, the focus is on planting fruit trees in schools across the country, with the aim of nurturing both nature and the next generation. The theme, “Citizen-Centric Tree Growing and Environmental Stewardship,” reminds us that caring for the environment starts with each person’s own actions.

I never imagined I’d one day connect personally to this cause. But the truth is, my journey into environmental care began years ago with a playful mischief involving a mango tree.
Back in Form Two, our school had two towering mango trees, heavy with ripe fruit. Many students would gaze at them from a distance, too afraid to be caught if they dared to pick one. I, on the other hand, had a different plan.

One sweltering afternoon, I climbed the tree and plucked a few mangoes. I ate two right there, sheltered by the shade, their sweetness simply impossible to resist. The third one, I tucked away for later. Then an idea struck me: why not sell mangoes to classmates who yearned for some but lacked the nerve to climb the tree themselves?

Soon, I had a flourishing little “business.” Every break time, I’d sneak out, harvest a few mangoes, and sell them for a small profit. I even began setting aside some savings until one unlucky day when I was caught red-handed. The school matron found me with mango skins still stuck to my pockets.

My small enterprise came to a dramatic stop. The headteacher didn’t waste time deciding my punishment. I was assigned to clean the school pigsty until, as they said, “the pigs could sparkle pink.” For two grueling afternoons, I scrubbed and washed tirelessly under the scorching sun, the pigs squealing as if mocking my fate.

But that wasn’t the end. I was also sent home and instructed to use my own savings to buy mangoes for the entire school. Each student was to get their fair share, sponsored by the school’s unofficial “mango thief.”

That encounter humbled me. Carrying sacks of mangoes back to school and seeing everyone enjoy them changed my perspective. I came to understand that the mango trees weren’t just meant for eating or making a profit, they were blessings that fed us, shaded us, and brought people together.

As Kenya initiates a national plan to grow fruit trees in schools, that old memory feels almost poetic, vividly lingering in my mind. The same fruit trees I once climbed are now seen as agents of change, sources of nourishment, means of living, and symbols of environmental consciousness.

Picture schoolyards filled with mango, avocado, guava, and orange trees, children learning how to care for them, harvesting fruits, and maybe starting small, honest ventures from the produce.

That is the spirit of Mazingira Day: turning small acts into long-lasting impact. Every tree planted becomes a tale of growth, responsibility, and transformation. Schools are now being urged to embrace tree planting initiatives that go beyond beautification aiming to teach students about sustainability, food security, and entrepreneurship.

Revisiting those moments, I smile at how a stolen mango became a life lesson. I tell this story not to glorify childhood mischief, but to show that even mistakes can turn into valuable lessons. The same tree I once stole from could one day inspire others to plant, nurture, and protect.

This Mazingira Day, as students dig holes and place young seedlings into the earth, I too will plant another mango tree. And I’ll murmur a simple prayer: “May you grow tall, bear fruit, and remind us that even from our mistakes, something good can grow and flourish.”

As we mark Mazingira Day, may our hands plant more than trees, may they grow lessons, hope, and a greener future for generations to come.

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