Honia-Heal Afrika Initiative (HAI)

By Gĩtaũ wa Kũng’ũ Founder Honia-Heal Afrika Initiative-HAI
At Honia-Heal Afrika Initiative (HAI), a Panafrican initiative inspired by the Honia River in Ngũgĩ wa Thiong’o’s The River Between, we believe in the transformative power of nature to heal and unite. Just as the Honia River nourishes the land and symbolises connection between communities, this series seeks to flow into your day with the richness of Africa’s herbal heritage.
Vision
As part of this mission, we are proud to announce our goal: to plant 100,000 herbal plants across Kenya by the end of 2025. Looking further, we envision a greener, healthier Africa by expanding this initiative to plant 1 million herbal plants by 2030—strengthening community wellness, environmental conservation, and the global shift toward natural remedies.

Inspired by the unparalleled legacy of Prof Wangari Maathai- Founder of Greenbelt Movement, we at HAI seek to follow in her footsteps by planting not just trees but seeds of hope, health, and sustainability. Her remarkable achievement of mobilizing the planting of over 51 million trees fuels our mission to empower communities, conserve our environment, and nurture the health of the continent.

Our Mission 
This journey is dedicated to exploring, celebrating, and preserving the incredible herbal plants that enrich Africa’s cultural and ecological heritage. Through this series, we aim to raise awareness of the healing properties, ecological significance, and sustainable cultivation of herbal plants.

Through this series, we aim to rediscover the incredible herbal plants that have been central to African wellness, culture, and sustainability. By blending ancestral knowledge with modern approaches, and using climate action to promote the transition of African health systems from curative to preventive care, HAI is committed to empowering communities to heal themselves and the planet.

What to watch
Each week, we’ll showcase a new plant—from the versatile Mwarubaine to the majestic Baobab. You’ll learn about their uses, cultural significance, and how to conserve them for future generations. This series honors the wisdom of the past while sowing seeds for a healthier, greener tomorrow.

✨Stay Tuned 
Join us on this exciting journey as we begin tomorrow by shining the spotlight on Mwarubaine (the Neem tree)—a marvel of nature celebrated for its ability to provide ‘forty cures.’ Despite its immense value, the presence of Mwarubaine has significantly declined in many areas, including villages like ours.

Through this series and our planting efforts, we aim to revive this endangered treasure and ensure its legacy endures.