The beautiful Nyungwe Forest is located in southwest Rwanda and is the habitat for 13 primate species including Colobus Monkeys and the endangered chimpanzee.
Beekeeper Project
In partnership with the Nyungwe Forest Conservation Project, PIC began working with beekeepers at Nyungwe in 2005. Beekeepers w
ere using traditional hives they placed inside the forest. When they went to collect honey they burned dried grass to create smoke to calm the bees. Forest fires were accidentally started by the beekeepers while using this practice for gathering honey.
To assist the beekeepers, PIC purchased equipment including smokers and modern hives that the beekeepers placed outside the rain forest. Since the project began…no forest fires have been started by beekeepers participating in the project and beekeepers are collecting 50 percent more honey. The modern hives are protecting the rainforest and economically helping beekeepers. Beekeepers have taken ownership and are now helping save the forest. The beekeeping project is being replicated in additional villages that are adjacent to the Nyungwe Forest.
Stove Project
The removal of firewood for cooking is another major threat to the Nyungwe Forest and the animals that live there. In partnership with the Nyungwe Forest Conservation Project, PIC is funding an energy saving stove project that is converting clay, sand, water and sweet potato leaves into energy saving stoves.
One member of each family in participating villages attends a training session to learn how to make their own stove. The process begins by removing clay from the ground. The sand, water and sweet potatoes leaves are mixed by hand in to the clay. After drying for three weeks the energy saving stove is ready to use. Women are now able to cook using 75 percent less wood!!!
The new stoves, that only cost $3 per unit to make, are not only helping reduce pressure on the rainforest but also are benefiting women who are spending less time each day collecting firewood inside the rain forest. PIC will continue funding the successful stove project in 2008.
Artisan Project
PIC began partnering with basket makers in a tiny village adjacent to Nyungwe Forest in 2000. These women were gathering firewood from the forest everyday for cooking and to keep their homes warm. With money earned from selling their baskets to PIC, the ladies are now able to purchase charcoal made from non rainforest woods for cooking and heating; PIC continues to purchase baskets from these women. Since this program began the amount of wood removed from the forest by the basket makers has been reduced by 85 percent.