These poems were written by people who work with the Horn Relief Bander Beylaπs Solar Cooker Project. Such poems are indeed precious and powerful as they describe the importance of trees for a better environment for war-torn Somalia. The poems call for reduction in charcoal burning and charcoal production and for the protection of Somaliaπs fragile environment.


I looked and I looked,
all I see is you being destroyed,
cut, burnt by people.
I cannot imagine life without you.
You shelter me, feed meä
I thank you for that.
Trees, our trees,
Oh my people, save our trees
and use solar cookers instead.
Let our trees grow and be free
from charcoal makers and buyers
so that we can live a secure life.

by Shukria Dini



Tree in the Wind

A tree stands firm in the wind
Its roots grip the Somali soil
and holds together the source of pastoral life.

by Jim Lindsay, Bosaso, Somalia, 13 November 2005


TreesShade in the hot, hot sunäShelter for me and for birdsä.Protection for soilä.Space for lifeä..Trees for all.

by Pamela Collett, inspired by the world first, Somalia leads the way,Horn Relief and Sun Fire Cooking's Bender Bayla Solar Villages Project13 November 2005, Bosaso, Somalia

I give you shade
I provide fodder for your animals
I hold the soil so grass can grow
When I die I will give you fuel
Oh, charcoal cutter, why do you kill me so young.

Jim Lindsay

Civil War
The trees are cut down
The land is devastated
The people are in mourning.
The youth are in despair
Where is our future?
Where are our trees?

Pamela Collett, 15 November 2005, Bosaso Somalia

Blue Sky AboveWhy so much killing?Why so much violence?When the sky is so blue.O, Somalis, look up.
by Pamela CollettNovember 22 2005, on the road to Bender Bayla from BosasoTsunami
Whitecaps on a turquoise seaRolling waves rushing to silver sandGolden cliffs climbing highSqueezed between is Bender BaylaLiving by the seaDying by the sea.

by Jim Lindsay, in Bender Bayla, Somalia, 24 November 2005