“Our Wounds Are Fruitful”.. an initiative by wounded pilot Ali Mohsen for planting 5,000 saplings

With a single leg and a strong will and determination to challenge his disability, wounded Pilot, Capt. Ali Mohsen Ali, has launched an initiative under the title “Syria Becomes Beautiful with its Trees, Our Wounds Are Fruitful” for planting 5,000 saplings .

The initiative, which aims to revive the forest and lands that were subjected to unfair burning in several provinces, and to raise awareness of citizens on the importance of restoring vegetation, is just a message of love and loyalty to the heroes of the Syrian Arab Army who sacrificed to defend the homeland.

 Capt. Ali explained that the initiative was launched on December 5th last year, as an individual initiative. 4600 saplings have been planted over an area estimated at 70 Dunums in al-Kefir area in Masyaf , he said, indicating that planting the saplings will continue till reaching 5000 saplings in accordance with the weather conditions.

 The initiative is being implemented under the auspices of the Ministry of Agriculture and the supervision of engineers from Masyaf Forestry Department, he added.

Ali went on to say that after completing this initiative, a new “collective” campaign that includes most Syrian provinces will be launched in cooperation with the General Sports Federation and the various sectors of civil society to accomplish and plant as much saplings as possible since it will include different areas of “Hama, Homs, Tartous, Lattakia and Damascus Countryside” in addition to other  locations  that will be determined later, calling on everyone to participate in this campaign.

Earlier Captain Ali performed a march from his village Bshanin in the countryside of Masyaf in Hama Governorate, reaching Damascus, covering a distance estimated at about 240 km. He had also participated in Fazza International Para Athletics Championships that was held in Dubai.

It is worth to mention  that Captain Ali was a fighter and pilot in the Syrian Arab Army who was wounded several times before losing his leg in the war on terrorism. He wants, through his initiatives, to convey a message to the whole world that his injury didn’t kill the will of life he has, just as all Syrians who prove day after day that they are able to overcome all challenges and to continue building and fortifying their homeland.

Amal Farhat