Mvule Project

Uganda has been ravaged by deforestation, causing all manner of agricultural and ecological problems. The Mvule Project is trying to reverse this damage and advance education and public health in the country.

For $49 you can sponsor the planting of a new mvule tree (and it's a magnificent species). As long as the tree's local caretakers keep it healthy, they get a monthly payment from the Mvule Project. The tree itself helps prevent soil degradation and erosion, and the payments go towards projects that benefit that community: schools, farms and wells. Their website has video and a Google maps mash-up that shows you the locations of the adopted trees and the projects they're helping.

The Mvule Project. By the way: it's pronounced muh-VOO-leh. We found this via milesella