A gift to the children of Espoo and the world - we plant trees in Tanzania

Evangelical Lutheran Parishes of Espoo give local babies a special gift. Starting in 2023, we have been planting saplings for babies born and babtised in Espoo. You can follow the planting and growth of the trees on this website.

Catherin, 13, planted a mango tree in Kilosa. Picture: Linda Juntunen.

We celebrate International Day of Forests on March 21, 2026. What could be a more powerful gesture of love and hope than planting a tree for a newborn?

Trees for children

The Trees for children project is part of the international responsibility of the Evangelical Lutheran Parishes of Espoo. Co-operation with Finnish Evangelical Lutheran Mission started in year 2023. In September 2025, the Espoo Parish Union once again granted eur 40,000 to the Finnish Evangelical Lutheran Mission for tree planting in Tanzania. The cooperation will continue in the coming years.

The trees being planted now have been donated to all babies baptized in Lutheran parishes in Espoo in 2024.

We hope that children near and far will have a bright future.

Image: Virve Rissanen, Finnish Evangelical Lutheran Mission

Why is planting trees important?

In Tanzania, climate change has had a major impact on people's lives. Planting trees brings them many joys and benefits.

Trees increase rainfall that is vital for humans and animals.
Planting trees reduces deforestation and soil erosion.
People say the air is fresh to breathe when there are trees around them.
Trees make it less windy.
In areas with trees, there is less dirt and dust in the air.
Trees provide protection from the scorching sun.
Planting trees facilitates access to farming and income generation.
When fruit trees give crops, it means healthy food.
Some tree nuts provide butter that can be used for making lotions.
It is possible to keep bees under the protection of the trees.

News from Tanzania, Morogoro

Suomeksi: Puita lapsilleThe link opens in a new tab

På svenska: Träd för barnenThe link opens in a new tab

A Tanzanian child holds a string next to a sapling, and an adult measures the place for the next sapling. — Image: Virve Rissanen, Finnish Evangelical Lutheran Mission

A group of young Tanzanians wearing garden gloves, holding tree saplings in hands. — Image: Yona Kitu, the Diocese of Morogoro

Thousands of tree saplings are planted in Tanzania

Planting trees is a beautiful symbolic gesture. In order to grow tall, a tree sapling needs the right kind of soil and care: water, nutrients and light. As the tree grows, it makes new shoots and extends its roots deeper and deeper. In time, it may produce fruit, nuts or cones as per its species.

Actual trees are planted in Tanzania for babies in Espoo. The Finnish Evangelical Lutheran Mission plants the saplings together with the Diocese of Morogoro. The Diocese of Morogoro, famous for its active environmental work, is part of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Tanzania (ELCT).

The work is already in full swing. In the Morogoro region, Tanzania, there will soon grow at least two hectares of forest for children in Espoo. The Ebenezer Secondary School has already planted 4,500 tree saplings, which the pupils water during the dry season. In addition to these, thousands of trees will be planted in the courtyards of homes, providing shelter and edible fruit.

The Finnish Evangelical Lutheran Mission has been involved in environmental work in Tanzania for a long time.