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As November turns to December, shop windows fill with bright offers and festive buzz fills the air. But amid the excitement of the season, there’s another way to celebrate – one that gives back to the planet and helps communities grow stronger.
Welcome to Green Friday: a day to nurture life, learning, and lasting change.
Choosing a greener path
Green Friday isn’t about saying no to shopping or enjoyment. It’s about saying yes: yes to connection, compassion, and conscious choices that make a difference long after the wrapping paper is gone.
For us at Word Forest, it’s a day to celebrate everything our supporters make possible: trees planted, communities empowered, and children learning under the shade of new forests. It’s an invitation to pause for a moment and choose gifts that give back, gifts that grow.
A classroom that changes lives
This Green Friday, we’re inviting everyone to take part in our Classroom for Christmas campaign.
In the communities where we work across Kenya, education and reforestation go hand in hand. As trees grow, so does opportunity, and one of the most powerful ways to nurture that growth is through learning. Many children still study outdoors or in buildings that can’t withstand the heat or rain. A safe, permanent classroom can transform their future.
By joining the campaign, you’ll be helping us build a new classroom for a Kenyan school: a place filled with light, laughter, and possibility. You’ll also be supporting the local people who make it happen, using sustainable materials and techniques that protect the environment.
It’s a gift that lasts far longer than a single season.
👉 Find out more and join in here:
https://www.wordforest.org/oneclassroom/
Why Green Friday matters
Around the world, more people are turning Green Friday into a celebration of giving rather than getting. It’s a small shift, but one with a big heart. When we plant trees, build classrooms, or support fair work, we’re investing in hope.
At Word Forest, every action begins with the same belief: that caring for people and the planet goes hand in hand. The trees we plant in Kenya absorb carbon, enrich soil, and provide fruit and shade. They also support livelihoods and strengthen communities, particularly for women who gain income and independence through their work with us.
Green Friday reminds us that these acts of kindness are what truly sustain us.
Simple ways to take part
There are many ways to embrace the spirit of Green Friday this year:
- Contribute to the Classroom for Christmas appeal. Every donation takes us a step closer to a safe, inspiring place for children to learn.
- Plant a tree in someone’s name. It’s a beautiful way to honour friends, family, or colleagues while helping the planet to breathe.
- Choose thoughtful gifts. Support ethical makers, local artists, and sustainable producers.
- Share the message. Tell others about Green Friday and how small acts of generosity can change lives.
A season of genuine joy
When we give to the Earth, it gives back in abundance – cleaner air, richer soil, and stronger communities. Green Friday isn’t about doing without; it’s about doing with purpose. It’s about finding joy in the knowledge that our actions, however small, can ripple outward and make the world a little better.
So this year, as the festive season really gets underway, join us in celebrating growth, learning, and love for our shared home. Together, we can make Green Friday the start of something extraordinary: a wave of hope that lasts all year round.
💚 Join our Classroom for Christmas campaign today and help build a brighter future 💚
Because the best gift we can give this season is a world where every child can learn, every tree can thrive, and every community can flourish.
Simon West and The Team