It all started on the day when I escorted our country director to Rufunsa District, which is located in Lusaka Province in Zambia. We were off to meet the village Chieftainess Mphashya, to talk about our intentions to build a community seed bank in her chiefdom. We were met with warm smiles, and after all the mutual exchanges and protocol of greetings, we were offered some refreshments under the tree shade where we sat for the meeting to discuss the community seed bank.

At the meeting, I met the Rufunsa District field officer, Mike Ngulube, who told us about a place of wonder called Dream Creations Space. He explained how indigenous tree species were being preserved there and fruit producing trees were planted in between them. I was very curious and asked him to take us there after the meeting. When we arrived, I was amazed by what I saw. An abundant forest of fruit trees, indigenous trees, long forgotten trees, a variety of grasses, birds and insects. I asked Mike what inspired him to start conserving indigenous tree species. Mike answered eagerly, “These trees were in danger of depletion by the nearby communities, and an idea struck me on how best I could enhance the adoption of agroforestry in my community.” I was keen to know more and so I asked him how he started. Mike smiled and pointed at the trees, “Dream Creations Space emerged out of the idea of what Community Technology Development Trust (CTDT) was doing in conserving indigenous local seeds. I thought that it would be great if we could extend this to conserving indigenous trees as well at a place which would also become a center for hosting other farmer activities. The first thing I had to do was to find a place where I could plant these trees. I wanted species which could be preserved while introducing fruit producing trees which were not originally there.”