At 74, Reverend Samuel Okot Lamot is proving that it’s never too late to make a difference. From the heart of Kalongo Town Council in Northern Uganda, this soft-spoken bishop is changing lives one seedling at a time — using tree planting to fight poverty, restore the environment, and inspire hope across generations.
“We plant trees not only to protect the environment but also to secure our future,” says Bishop Lamot. “When you grow old, trees can feed you, heal you, and sustain you.”
Reverend Samuel Okot Lamot received a Professor Dr JJ Otim Development Award of 350,000 Ugandan Shillings to support the growth and development of his business.
From Conflict to Conservation: The Roots of a Vision
Northern Uganda has endured decades of insurgency that left communities displaced and ecosystems stripped bare. Trees were felled for charcoal and timber, leaving behind dry land and deepening poverty.
Amid this hardship, Rev. Lamot, the Bishop of the Chosen Evangelical Revival Church, saw an opportunity for healing — through nature. Starting small in 2007 with a few seedlings, he began replanting what war had taken. What began as a personal survival project soon became a community mission: to rebuild livelihoods through environmental restoration.
A Home That Feeds, Heals, and Inspires
Walk into Lamot’s backyard today and you’ll find a thriving mini-forest — mangoes, oranges, guavas, pawpaws, and rows of pine, teak, and eucalyptus swaying in the wind. It’s both a food source and an income stream, but most importantly, it’s an example of what’s possible when purpose meets persistence.
Lamot also keeps chickens and grows vegetables, ensuring his family’s food security while demonstrating sustainable living.
“Tree planting is the best pension scheme,” he often tells visitors. “You may grow old, but your trees will continue to provide.”
Empowering Communities One Seedling at a Time
Bishop Lamot’s work has evolved into a community-wide green enterprise. He raises seedlings in nursery beds and sells them for UGX 500 to 2,000, depending on the variety. He supplies nearby sub-counties such as Paimol and Omiya Pacwa, helping hundreds of families start their own plantations.
In partnership with NGOs like GOAL Uganda, he trains locals on sustainable farming, hosts radio talk shows, and mentors youth groups. His teachings blend environmental wisdom with faith, motivating people to view tree planting as both an act of stewardship and a business opportunity.
His growing impact includes:
- Planting thousands of fruit and timber trees across Agago District.
- Training farmers in climate-smart agriculture.
- Increasing household incomes through tree sales.
- Restoring degraded landscapes and biodiversity.
The Ripple Effect: Economic and Environmental Gains
Lamot’s trees are now fueling local economies. Carpenters have access to affordable, sustainable timber; market vendors buy and sell fruit from community orchards; and youth groups have found employment in nursery work.
The project is also helping reduce deforestation and soil erosion, leading to better crop yields and rainfall retention. These intertwined benefits show how grassroots innovation can address multiple challenges — from hunger to climate change.
Overcoming Challenges with Faith and Family
Running such an initiative isn’t without obstacles. Water scarcity during dry seasons and the high cost of pesticides often threaten progress. Yet, Lamot remains undeterred, drawing strength from his faith and his family.
His wife and grandchildren help water seedlings daily — turning the effort into a family legacy of resilience and renewal.
“We may be old, but we are strong in purpose,” he says. “Our labor today ensures our children inherit a greener tomorrow.”
The Wisdom of Seasons: Life’s Four Stages
Lamot blends life lessons with his environmental message, teaching that the seasons of life mirror the growth of trees.
- Childhood (0–12 years): Build character and learn from your surroundings.
- Youth (13–25 years): Use energy wisely — study, plant, and plan.
- Adulthood (26–50 years): Work hard, save, and prepare for the future.
- Old Age (51+ years): Reap your harvest and mentor others.
This timeless philosophy underscores the heart of his project: what we plant today determines what future generations will harvest.
A Vision for a Greener Kalongo
Looking ahead, Bishop Lamot dreams of expanding his initiative to create a regional tree-planting network. He hopes to establish a model eco-farm that demonstrates practical methods for small-scale afforestation and organic farming.
He also envisions tree-planting clubs in schools, ensuring children learn early about environmental conservation.
“If every family plants trees and nurtures them,” he says, “Uganda will be food-secure, climate-resilient, and economically strong.”
Why This Matters: Investing in Grassroots Enterprises
Bishop Lamot’s initiative is more than a local success story — it’s a blueprint for Africa’s sustainable development.
Grassroots projects like his demonstrate how small actions can drive national progress. By investing in such community enterprises, supporters can:
- Strengthen local economies.
- Promote environmental conservation.
- Create jobs for youth and women.
- Build climate resilience from the ground up.
These are not charity projects; they’re viable investments with measurable social and ecological returns.
Call to Action: Grow Africa’s Future from the Ground Up
Africa’s transformation won’t come from top-down policies alone — it will sprout from the soil of small communities like Kalongo.
Now is the time for individuals, organisations, and investors to support grassroots enterprises that merge sustainability with self-reliance.
Whether you fund a nursery, sponsor seedlings, or partner with local farmers, your contribution helps plant the future — literally.
Join leaders like Rev. Samuel Okot Lamot, and be part of Africa’s green revolution.
Because when one person plants a tree, an entire generation breathes easier.
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