The Singing Tree Institute
The Singing Tree Institute is the non-profit I started in 2013 with David Mutinda of Kitui, Kenya. We have since planted 7,000 trees in Kambaland, Kenya. Our mission is to help mitigate global warming, reduce erosion, encourage condensation and plant food forests for the local people who are mostly subsistence farmers. We begin by planting trees that can nourish the soil and when those trees take hold plant bananas, mangoes, tomatoes, greens and other foods under the canopy.
In 2022 Mutinda and I planted 550 trees in Kangweni, Kenya with students from Maviani Primary School, Syombuku Vocational College and Yanzuu DayStar Academy. In 2023, we planted 120 replacement trees and sent 50 trees home with students to plant with their parents. I was amazed to see how much our food forest had grown in one calendar year!
From this in 2022 . . .
To this is 2023!
Here’s how you can help:
Option 1: Adopt-A-Tree ~ For $25 we will plant 1 tree, including water and maintenance services for a year.
Option 2: Adopt-A-Grove ~ For $50 we will plant 5 trees, including water and maintenance services for a year.
Option 3: Adopt a Food Forest ~ For $100 we will plant 15 trees. You will have your own Grove and a plaque with your name on it!
Option 4: Water Catchment Fund ~ Your donation of $50 or more will be added to our POA Water Tank Fund. POA Water Tanks catch rain off the roof and supply water for drinking, cooking and cleaning and also to water our seedlings in the new Singing Tree Nursery where we will propagate and grow trees for our food forests. Our project is in Kagweni where people rely on SUBSISTENCE FARMING.
In 2023 the President of Kenya designated November 20 as National Tree Planting Day. We were already boots on the ground and a couple of local officials came out and planted with us.
Lis with students at Maviani Primary School.
Students at Yanzuu Daystar Academy.
Lis singing with students at Maviani. We document traditionalKamba songs and dances for future generations.
Lis & Students share songs and dances.
Lis and Mutinda traveling to the sites.
Planting at Syombuku Vocational College.
Delivering trees.
Fun together!
David Mutinda, Project Manager. Specializes in Tree Planting, Water Harvesting and Food Security. Worked for the Greenbelt Movement for 14 years. Kitui, Kenya
Lis Addison, Founder and Executive Director. Musician, Dancer and Professor of Environmental Science. San Francisco, CA
Partner: Irene Mwanzia, Singer helping record Kamba songs and distributing dignity kits to Village girls. Mbooni, Kenya
Advisory Board Member: Ricky Kej, UN Goodwill Ambassador and three time Grammy winner. Delhi, India.
Partner: Michelle Nirenstein with Marias Ripau of Mara Napa Camps, the only Luxury Safari camp owned and operated by the Maasai. Austin, TX and Maasai Mara, Kenya
Partner: Gloria Simoneaux Director of Harambee Arts which uses Expressive Art Therapy to improve the lives of women and children who have suffered from trauma and trafficking. San Francisco, CA
Intern: Riziki Mpanga, student at University of Taiwan in Environment and Global Business. Arusha, Tanzania.
Advisory Board Member: Sara Laumann, former EPA Attorney specializing in air quality and The Clean Air Act. Denver, CO