Gorilla Project Pedals Forward

Unlocking the secrets of gorillas to local communities

GAFI’s work to bring awareness of mountain gorillas to human populations in Uganda has received a huge boost. The pedal-powered roadshow project has received full funding with €10,000 awarded from the Van Tienhoven Foundation for International Nature Protection with a further €10,000 donated by a donor in the USA.

Since 2006, the Gorilla Organization (GO) has taken GAFI films to 176 schools in two districts of Uganda; Kabale and Kisoro. These districts are bordered by the last two habitats of the Critically Endangered mountain gorilla; the Virunga Volcanoes and the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest.

In 2008, GAFI was introduced to the innovative idea of the Pedal Powered Cinema. This initiative aims to minimise the resources and access problems, previously experienced in remote communities. Bicycles will be used to substitute ever-increasing fuel-costs needed by large vehicles and the bicycles can reach remote places that cannot be reached by car.

The current programme aims to:

• Facilitate an estimated 288 film screenings in 12 months, thus engaging an estimated 43,200 school students and 14,400 community members.
• Reach remote schools and isolated communities who live alongside great ape habitats, ensuring greater impact on mountain gorilla conservation.
• Bring together communities and provide a platform to voice their conservation concerns, to enhance local governance.

GAFI would like to offer heartfelt thanks to the Van Tienhoven Foundation and our US donor for enabling us to further our work in Uganda.

If you would like to support GAFI to carry out similar projects around the world, we would welcome any donations you are able to give.