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A Montana Connection to Wangari Maathai And The Reforestation Of Africa

In African tradition, a tree is a symbol of peace.

On 'Children's Corner' this past Saturday, Selya from the Missoula Public Library shared Wangari’s Trees of Peace, a true story of Wangari Maathai’s passion and dedication to reforesting Kenya and empowering women. Wangari Maathai was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2004 for her work through the Green Belt Movement.

Brian Theroux and Wangari Maathai in 2008 at Huho-Ini Secondary School in Nyeri, Kenya
Credit Courtesy Brian Theroux
Brian Theroux and Wangari Maathai in 2003 at Huho-Ini Secondary School in Nyeri, Kenya

Brian Theroux, a Peace Corps volunteer, and his students at the Huho-Ini Secondary School in Nyeri, Kenya grew trees for Wangari’s Green Belt Movement. Brian shared these pictures of himself with Maathai, along with an olive tree Maathai planted at the school in 2003.

Brian was born and raised in Missoula, and graduated from Sentinel High School in 1994 and served in the Peace Corp for 4 years. When he returned from Kenya, he volunteered for the Pea Green Boat creating a database of our record collection.

Tune in to the Children’s Corner Saturdays from 7:00 to 9:00 a.m. to hear more children's stories from around the world.

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