Welcome to Mtoto-Mti!
Welkom bij Mtoto-Mti! Nederlands
Bienvenu chez Mtoto-Mti! Frans
Welcome to Mtoto-Mti! Engels
Karibu kwa Mtoto-Mti! Kiswahili
About
… All about imagining our world from a kids & trees perspective …
A kids sees a tree and says in exaltation: ‘This is the tree I was looking for to climb and hide!”. The tree looks back at the kid and tends him nicely his branches. Little cracks warn the child to not break the branches and to not climb too high.
Can you imagine having this interaction with a tree? And maybe you even did, once upon a time when you were a child too?
Mtoto-Mti is all about this: how would our today world look like if kids and trees were in charge now instead of adults? It’s a thought experiment, an art and writing entreprise, a social and community project, an atelier for educative workshops, …
Above all…
Mtoto-Mti is… nothing short of a dream: a juster and greener future for our children.
The words ‘mtoto’ and ‘mti’ mean ‘child’ and ’tree’ in Kiswahili, one of the most widespread languages in Africa.
Global issues like climate change and social justice are two sides of the same coin. That’s why at Mtoto-Mti we combine them in order to make our actions stronger and more efficient.
When people and companies choose to become greener, they will also allow for children to grow up in a greener and healthier, thus happier way!
Children will grow up to become responsable and caring adults when they have seen that it is indeed possible and what the benefits are of this approach.
There is also a similarity between climate change and the social and environmental problems that arise from it, from an attitude point of view. It is crucial to be aware of that too in order to tackle these matters.
If things are being postponed and we cannot do anything as long as we keep on waiting for the other one to start as well, for whatever reasons, things will only get worse and more complicated!
So let’s start and do whatever is in our power, together with like-minded people!
But there is more!
Mtoto-Mti is all about re-imagining our today world through kids & trees eyes.
Very often, children will surprise open-minded adults because children can be still so unprejudiced. Trees are alike in many aspects. They are able to comfort you and they exhale a certain calmness and wisdom. Both can give back some of the spirituality and innocence we all long for.
What is the matter at the heart of the Mtoto-Mti project?
The sad truth is that a lot of children are not growing up in a green and healthy way because they are trapped in a system of abuse and repression.
Although in the more wealthy parts of our planet, some might not want to see the impact of the global evolutions regarding climate and society at the moment speaking, it is indeniably taking place: climate change is affecting vast regions of our planet, biodiversity is at threat and childrens rights are being trampled.
By means of Mtoto-Mti, our aim is to contribute in bringing nature (back) into the conscience and the upbringing of children. All too often, they are in a state of distress because of the lack of plants and animals in their surroundings. Or because of the distance created between them and nature.
These child and nature friendly-actions could take place everywhere you would like to see them implemented. And in many ways, for example by organizing local workshops in your neighbourhood or through an online educational program. By writing letters to governments and institutions like the EU to demand a blood mineral free policy. The list of ideas and actions that we could think of is very long.
Smartphones, electric cars and other electric devices that we use everyday, bring us comfort and enable us to communicate and make things work globally to our profit. That’s why at Mtoto-Mti we say: they have to be blood mineral free. Because we don’t want to live our good lives at the expense of others!
Last, but not least, Mtoto-Mti would very much like to set up a project in the city and country where all once has started for me.
Starting point is the southern city of Lubumbashi in the DR Congo. The animals, plants and trees in this beautiful subtropical area I grew up with and that surrounded me during childhood are a daily African inspiration to me. So that’s where the idea for Mtoto-Mti was born from!
It has been investigated that exposure in a positive way to experiences in nature before hitting puberty creates a lifelong bond with nature!
While living far from Lubumbashi nowadays, everywhere I go, I increasingly value (wild) nature and see the importance of learning our children to get in touch with it as much as possible. It’s just a wonderful feeling to enjoy the outdoors!
You migth say that my years spent in this extraordinary part of Africa, still little known by tourists, has opened my eyes, literally, and conscience. Like a little seed that was planted in me.
In many places I go ever since, I see natural beauty. In every season and in every place. Unfortunately, the youngest generation of our planet does not always have access to these natural wonders of life. And many times children have lots of other things to worry about or other temptations that distract them.
With Mtoto-Mti I’m therefore looking to make a case for he kids growing up in and arround the mines of Lubumbashi. They can really use every bit of our help and attention! It’s not fair for them having to suffer because of global issues. The inequal situation they are in at the moment is just unbearable. Let’s act now and help them in achieving a more healthy environment to grow up in!
The concept of the Mtoto-Mti project is that when children learn to know and get the chance to be fascinated by the wildlife, the plants and the trees and the natural landscapes that surround them, happiness and health are within reach of every child! Their hearts will beat to the rhythm of nature and this will directly lead to the respect and love that our planet so much needs and that our children truly yearn for!
Changing the ‘unnatural’ situation many children are experiencing today is a not easy. But we cannot give up! The importance of living a natural lifestyle cannot be overrated. So every small step taken is a win and means a huge change in the life of those involved! So every initiative should be encouraged! This is my sincere conviction.
I warmly invite you to do this together and to help us making a big difference for those children in need!
Warm-hearted greetings,
Johanna
DONATE
You can either support the Mtoto-Mti project by becoming a donor or by working with us (see below). If you do so, you will help children in living a greener and healthier, thus HAPPIER life and in getting yourself and them back to nature, just like everyone deserves and needs!
For more information about our current project ideas, you are very welcome to send us a personal message to mtotomti@gmail.com. If you would like to already have a glimpse at what project ideas are already being conceived, take a further look on this website. Thank you so much beforehand!
MASCOT ”Kawa and his bird”
Please do send us an e-mail if you are the creative person that would like to design the Mtoto-Mti mascot or other fundraising products!
VOLUNTEER OR FIND YOUR DREAM JOB AT MTOTO-MTI
Have you been inspired by our project ideas and do you want to participate in creating a greener and healthier future for children by your own hands and by bringing in your personal know-how?
Please feel mostly welcome to join us! If you are interested in providing or carrying out fundraising initiatives, internships, research opportunities and/or freelance work, do contact us! And let’s find out how far we can go together :)! Your input will always be highly valued and appreciated.
Please send your ideas or your application to mtotomti@gmail.com. You’re very welcome get in touch!
CONTACT
You’re warmly invited to follow the blogs on this website and on my facebookpage for the latest news! Mail to mtotomti@gmail.com to connect personally. Let’s talk about your impressions or proposals and create common goals in an open and respectful way.
Thank YOU SO MUCH for YOUR SUPPORT!
