Leitrim Ladies captain Clare Owens joins Kenya trek to help plan one million trees for Plant the Planet games
St Joseph's & Leitrim player looking to raise €10,000 as one of 50 GAA players taking part in Warriors for Humanity Plant the Planet games in Kenya in November
Leitrim Ladies captain Clare Owens will be one of 50 GAA stars who will travel to Kenya to take part in a unique Gaelic games experience that aims to plant one million trees to help highlight the growing impact of climate change.
Clare has launched an iDonate page to help her reach her target of €10,000 and she is already on her way to reaching her goal with €2,570 raised by noon on Wednesday October 26, but she is appealing to the Leitrim GAA community and indeed the wider community to get behind her campaign. You can donate to Clare's campaign at https://www.idonate.ie/fundraiser/ClareOwens
One of the event being held to support Clare's fundraising efforts includes a "Feel Good Friday" this Friday, October 28, in Mullingar Educate Together NS where the Leitrim Ladies captain is a staff member.
Plant the Planet Games, developed by the group ‘Warriors for Humanity’ which was founded by Galway dual player Alan Kerins, take place in Kenya from 18 to 27 November 18-27, with the group playing an All-Star game in Nairobi on Sunday November 20. Other highlights include visits to various climate change, farming and aid projects in the region.
The big selling point from the trip is to plant one million trees to highlighting the impact of climate change as well as getting children and local humanitarian groups in Kenya involved in the playing of GAA sports. Players on the trip will also be accompanied on their travels by traditional Kenyan musicians, and other Kenyan cultural acts who will take part in a host of cultural events alongside the players, as well as highlighting the work done by Self Help Africa.
Speaking on the project, Warriors for Humanity and Plant the Planet Games founder and former Galway dual star Alan Kerins said "It is incredible to have 50 warriors for humanity signed up, each one committing to raise funds in support what is one of the biggest challenges of our lifetime, that of climate change.
"This campaign, from which some of the world’s most vulnerable communities will benefit, will leave a lasting legacy in more ways than one, improving quality of living both in the present day and for future generations."
This trip will include ‘Flight of Swallows’, a group of musicians and dancers from Ireland (including many sports stars) who will participate in an authentic cross-cultural music and dance exchange, with our Kenyan hosts. The target for each participant to raise by November is €10,000.
"Our goal is to plant one million trees in Africa in partnership with Self Help Africa who have spent decades working closely with local farmers, communities and experts, to be the best at what they do. Each tree we plant will represent a livelihood for an African family, and an integral part of the project is to train farmers on managing their trees for this purpose.
"As a result, we know that the trees are looked after and cared for over the years. We want the impact of our work to be felt for many years to come, benefitting future generations, and leaving a legacy we can all be proud of."