A number of 25 apple trees were planted in the yard of the Theoretical High School “Mihai Viteazul” in Chisinau by twelfth graders within the project “Make apples cool” that was launched by UNDP at the start of last year, IPN reports.
According to UNDP Moldova project manager Dumitru Vasilescu, the planted apples grow 2-3 meters in height and will yield fruit in 2-3 years. Within the same project, the school’s students have received freshly sliced and packaged apple snacks of 80 grams each twice a week since the start of the school year.
“It is more an educative event. By such activities, we want to increase awareness of the necessity of daily eating fruit. The project is possible owing to an international crowdfunding campaign. The money collected so far is enough for only five education institutions and for giving apple snakes to 4,500 children two times a week, during an academic year,” added Dumitru Vasilescu.
The high school’s vice director Valentina Demerji said the children of the lyceum are hardworking and will take care of the trees so that these grow. If the harvest is rich, they will donate apples to a children’s home.
Twelfth grader Regina Mogorean considers tree planting is a very responsible event. “We are very proud that we can leave our inheritance here, which will remain to children who will study here. This year we could daily eat apples and today, planting these trees, we feel that we return the favor,” stated Regina Mogorean.
An estimated US$20,000 is needed for the UNDP, together with companies from the private sector, to be able to provide free apple snacks during a school year. UNDP Moldova provides US$10,000 of this.
