Amina, Mandera mother planting tree with son strapped on her back earns praise online

Amina Maalim Mohamed, a resident of Neboi Village in Mandera, gained attention on social media after a photo of her carrying her son on her back while planting a tree went viral. The tree-planting exercise was part of a public holiday announced by Interior CS Kithure Kindiki, dedicated to tree planting.

In an interview, Amina expressed her awareness of the environmental challenges facing Mandera, particularly floods caused by environmental degradation. "Currently in Mandera, we are facing floods, which I have come to learn that the diverse weather conditions are caused by environmental degradation, so when I was told about the tree planting exercise, I purposed to participate," Amina narrated.

When questioned about why she carried her last-born son on her back for the tree-planting exercise, Amina explained that her husband is currently unwell, and with the rest of her children engaged in various tasks, she took it upon herself to ensure her son's care.

Amina actively contributed to the tree planting, planting around ten seedlings during the exercise. The image of her dedication drew commendation on social media, with some users urging President William Ruto to recognise her for the noble effort. Others praised Amina for her hard work and commitment to environmental conservation.

One social media user commented, "Amina's dedication is truly inspiring. It's heartening to see individuals like her actively participating in initiatives that contribute to our environmental well-being."

In response to the online recognition, Amina expressed gratitude, saying, "I didn't expect such attention. I only wanted to contribute to making our environment better for everyone. It's humbling to see the positive response."

As Amina's story circulated, more voices joined the conversation, emphasising the importance of individual efforts in collective environmental conservation. The viral image served as a reminder of the significant impact that ordinary citizens can have in promoting positive change.