Tree growing is a journey that requires patience. For a tree to grow, it starts with the right seeds and proper care to become seedlings. Resilience develops during this journey. A case of Madam Elizar who partnered with Caritas Nyahururu under the ERRIL Project since its inception demonstrates resilience through her nursery work. Her life has improved as she has become a major supplier of the seedlings that in and out of Nyandarua County as a result of the project intervention.
Living near the Aberdare Ecosystem in Nyandarua County, Madam Elizar once struggled to get by. Like many nursery owners in the area, she mainly sold exotic tree seedlings. These seeds brought a very low market price of only Ksh. 5 each. The income was not enough to support efforts to re-invest. For years, her nursery business only covered only daily expenses. Everything began to change when Caritas Nyahururu launched the Ecosystem Restoration through Reforestation for Improved Livelihoods (ERRIL) Project. The project encouraged Madam Elizar to produce indigenous tree seedlings. Unlike exotic species, indigenous seedlings sell for better prices and are in high demand for ecosystem restoration in the Aberdare forests and nearby farmlands.
With support, mentorship, and a ready market from ERRIL, her nursery business started to grow steadily. Today, she proudly supplies thousands of indigenous seedlings that help restore degraded landscapes, protect water catchments, and improve biodiversity in the Aberdare ecosystem. The increased income has transformed her household and renewed her hope for the future.
Beyond tree nurseries, Madam Elizar has diversified into bean farming on a rented three-acre farm. She believes the money from her bean harvest, combined with ongoing collaboration with Caritas Nyahururu, will allow her to buy her own land within the next year. This dream, once thought impossible, is now within reach.
Her story shows that ecosystem restoration not only heals the environment but also restores dignity, hope, and livelihoods for local communities.
