Education in Africa: Primary and Secondary Schools

Education is the key to empowering people in Africa who live near the gorillas to become stewards of their shared ecosystem.

When the Fossey Fund began working with local communities in Rwanda and Congo on conservation strategies, education was the first development investment the communities requested. The Fund now supports education on every level in the areas where it works, from nursery schools to universities.

Supporting education in Rwanda

For many years, the Karisoke™ Research Center has supported education for children of its staff, as well as other children who attend the schools near Volcanoes National Park, by donating books and school supplies to primary schools and paying for secondary school students’ fees and uniforms. The Fossey Fund has purchased bicycles for teachers at the Bisate school and provided language training for both teachers and pupils.  In addition to providing supplies, Karisoke staff regularly conduct conservation education programs in primary and secondary schools located around the Volcanoes National Park.  Programs include puppet shows,  presentations on environment and conservation, inter-school competitions, and a special science day.

Supporting education in Congo

The Fossey Fund’s Congo education program also supports schools, with emphasis on the areas where conservation efforts are underway. The Fund has rebuilt four primary schools, provides two others with teacher salaries and school supplies, and supports two secondary schools.  The Fund also helped start a nursery school program at an orphanage located near one of the community-based nature reserves.  The goal is to help prepare the children to enter the formal education system.