By Binka Le Breton | International Relations
Good morning, dear friends!
This past week was truly extraordinary, and we want to share a beautiful and unexpected story that unfolded at Iracambi—a story that brought together our mission of Saving Forests and Changing Lives to honor an inspiring global figure: Pope Francis.
In a time when the world often feels uncertain, our small community found a way to spark hope. It all began with a spontaneous idea: let’s plant a tree to honor Pope Francis! It was as if fate had a hand in it—we had already arranged a visit from local schoolchildren, and in our forest nursery stood a perfect tree, just waiting for this moment.
The tree we planted is a beloved symbol of Latin America: the ipê amarelo (Tabebuia chrysantha) from the Bignoniaceae family. Known for its stunning yellow, trumpet-shaped flowers, the ipê amarelo flourishes in diverse regions of Central and South America, reaching heights of 6 to 12 meters. We chose the yellow variety because yellow represents hope and happiness—and it’s one of the colors on the Vatican flag.
As Pope Francis reminds us: "From the hands of God we have received a garden, we cannot leave a desert for our children."
Together with the children, we shared these words as we planted the tree in Francisco’s honor:
“We want to give thanks for the beautiful work of Pope Francis, honoring his dedication to our country and our planet. May this tree at Iracambi be a symbol of new life. Your leadership inspires us to work for a more sustainable and just world, and we are grateful for your light and faith that guide millions around the globe.”
We are deeply thankful to each of you, our supporters, for making moments like these possible. Your commitment enables us to keep planting seeds of hope—literally and figuratively—as we work toward a thriving, restored planet for the children of the earth.
With heartfelt gratitude, The Iracambi Team
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