Some locals employed at the Lignaverda reforestation project in the Kavango West Region are saying the project is making a difference in their lives. 

The project is a collaboration between Lignaverda, a Belgian-based NGO, and the Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism. 

When the NBC News team arrived at the reforestation project at Siya village, we found several workers busy preparing a mixture that would be beneficial for the reforestation project. 

Atanasius Rumeta, the foreman at the Lignaverda Reforestation Project, explained that "what is happening behind there is we are preparing a mixture of biochar and manure plus lime. The purpose of this mixture is to improve the soil quality, as our project site consists solely of sandy soil. So for us at least to have a good water-holding capacity, we need to have something done in our soil just to improve it."

The biochar comes all the way from Otjiwarongo, and it's used to hold water and to trap nutrients in the soil. The project ordered about 80 tonnes of biochar, and they are now using locals from the village to prepare the mixture. 

While preparing the biochar, some workers are also busy replanting or removing trees that have died. Out of the 3,000 trees planted earlier this year, about 2,000 died from termites, frost, and many other factors. 

The locals working here say there is always something to do. Before the reforestation project, many of them were at home, unemployed. 

Magret Mukosa, one of the casual workers at the project, said, "I've been at home since I finished my Grade 12. I didn't get a job. But when this one came, at least I did something, and I'll get some money for my cosmetics and everything. I was just a home girl, sitting at home, doing some farm work at home. But when I heard that my name is also here, I was very happy to come here."

Fheefeni Martin is a jack of all trades around here. Whether it's offloading, watering, planting, digging trenches, or debushing, he has done it all. 

"This project is helping people. They are bringing something in. Now, life is changing, like that. There is a big difference. Some are building houses. Some did not have food. Now, they are having food at home. They are using everything in the garden. This money, they are using it."

Martin stated that, despite the project's positive impact on people's lives, some locals are still interested in creating division within the Siya community.

He said locals want to interfere in the recruitment process by deciding who should get an opportunity to work and who should not. 

"Some individuals may be disrupting this project, despite the benefits it brings to you, because of their preferences in hiring decisions. Because of talking too much, maybe you want to employ this one; you don't want to employ this one. That is not good. But the company wants to help the community. That is why they are here."