BARREN soil, scorching sun and choking dust will be a thing of the past for 200 new families in Elukwatini, near Badplaas, when 400 trees are planted in their gardens this week. The project is spearheaded by Elukwatini Trees for Homes in Mpumalanga and is sponsored by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and co-ordinated by Food and Trees for Africa (FTFA). Natalie Openshaw of Trees for Africa said that each family would be given two trees – one for shade and one to provide fruit. – African Eye News Service