Being someone that cares as much about the environment as he does about the people of his community, it is only natural that his role as a church leader and a TIST farmer often become intertwined. Meet Geoffrey Gichuri Kagunda from Laikipia County in Kenya who uses his religious platform to preach about the urgency of climate change while trying to uplift those around him.

He walks through his farm, proudly presenting all the kinds of trees he has planted – Mexican green ash, gravellia, jacaranda... his face beaming with a fatherly glow. Over the years, these trees have given him more than just an additional source of income. For him, it means having to travel less for basics like wood and timber and being able to spend more time with family and in his community.

The TIST Values form the foundation of the TIST Program – honesty, transparency, mutual accountability, accuracy, volunteerism, servant leadership, and achieving big results with low budgets. Geoffrey not only practices these values as a TIST Member, but he also adheres to them in his daily life. His congregation elected him Vice Chairman of the Anglican Church in his community, where he preaches about the benefits of tree planting for individual families and the community.

Having experienced the benefits of tree planting firsthand, he wants the same for his congregation. And with his playful demeanor, it is no surprise that he is so loved and revered by his community.