PROJECT OVERVIEW

The Indigenous Batwa lived in harmony with the plants and animals of this ancient ecosystem for up to 80,000 years, and are known as the "Knowledge Keepers of Bwindi Impenetrable Forest." They are losing their traditional knowledge and practices about edible and medicinal plants with each passing year after being forced to leave their forest home in 1991 when Bwindi Impenetrable National Park was established. Now dispersed around the borders of the park in…Batwa villages, these Indigenous People no longer have access to the forest's edible and medicinal plants, which has greatly compromised their health and wellbeing.

 In this Bwindi Community Forest project, Batwa elders who grew up in the forest will work with Tree Adoption Uganda (TAU) to select indigenous tree seedlings to grow small forest ecosystems in their villages. This will help reduce malnutrition, illnesses, and homesickness for the forest. The elders will be able to pass their traditional knowledge and practices on to Batwa youth (Batwa Bwindi Youth Guardians) to preserve and protect their culture.  As the Community forest matures, it could also provide much needed income to the community.

DONATE

To support this project, please donate using the link: http://oly.la/10e23b