By Idah Munyiri

AAR Healthcare Kenya hosted its annual environment day on November 10 at Ngong Road forest, next to the Bomas of Kenya. They invited several organizations, including USIU-Africa, the Kenya Air Force, Consolidated Bank, Finsco Africa, and students from Light Academy International, and St. Nicholas School. The focus of this collaborative endeavor was to champion environmental sustainability through a concerted tree-planting initiative.

Over the past five years, AAR Healthcare Kenya has planted 253,000 trees across the country, setting a remarkable precedent in environmental conservation. This year's initiative coincided with Kenya's inaugural tree planting day held on November 13, amplifying the significance of the endeavor.

While deeply engaged in providing curative healthcare, AAR Healthcare recognized the significance of preventative measures in achieving holistic well-being. AAR Healthcare through its Corporate Social Investment (CSI) 'Trees for Health' (T4H) project aligned its corporate sustainability strategy to reflect the company’s commitment to addressing the underlying environmental factors that influence health outcomes.

The event aimed to make a profound impact on crucial environmental aspects such as carbon dioxide absorption, climate action, enhanced biodiversity, and cleaner air. The collaborative effort resulted in the planting of over 2000 indigenous seedlings sourced from the Kenya Forest Service and nurseries surrounding the forest.

Furthermore, the active involvement of high school and college students was pivotal, reflecting a growing culture of environmental responsibility among the youth. AAR Healthcare Kenya facilitated their engagement, encouraging a sense of ownership by labeling trees for participating organizations and organizing follow-up visits to ascertain that the seedlings were properly planted and their roots well established.