ELTO 33 plants tree for future

Uyanga Gelenkhuu makes a speech at the tree planting ceremony

A New Zealand native Kowhai tree was planted on Victoria University’s campus on 5 December 2011 to mark the completion of a successful ELTO course and to symbolise hope for the future.

One representative from each of the five ELTO countries helped dig the hole and plant the tree. Uyanga Gelenkhuu from Mongolia came up with the idea of planting a tree.

He placed a $2 New Zealand coin in the hole to give good luck and strength to the tree and to all New Zealanders.

The ELTO participants are government officials  from Cambodia, Laos, Mongolia, Myanmar and Vietnam. This week they are completing five months English study in New Zealand, the last 14 weeks,at  the English Language Institute at Victoria University.

The tree is outside the entrance to the Recreation Centre.  In spring it will grow beautiful yellow flowers.