Volcanoes Safaris has been at the forefront of reviving gorilla and chimpanzee conservation and tourism in Rwanda and Uganda for twenty-five years.
In 2009, the Volcanoes Safaris Partnership Trust (VSPT), a non-profit organisation, was established to connect Volcanoes Safaris lodges to neighbouring communities and conservation activities. VSPT aims to create long-term, sustainable projects that enrich the livelihoods of local communities and promote the conservation of the great apes.
VSPT is registered as a non-profit organisation in Uganda. VSPT is funded by a community fee from Volcanoes Safaris guests, by Volcanoes Safaris and other donations. The routine administration cost of VSPT is kept to a minimum as the background costs are covered by Volcanoes Safaris. VSPT is registered as a non-profit organisation in Uganda since 2009. Registration number 37536.
Find out more at volcanoessafaris.com/community/
Empowers Africa has partnered with Volcanoes Safaris Partnership Trust in order to provide a cost-effective solution to fundraising in the United States by acting as their fiscal sponsor. Any donations made here will be granted to Volcanoes Safaris Partnership Trust.
Empowers Africa uses Stripe to process credit card donations. Stripe has very stringent security rules which may lead to declined credit card transactions. If you are experiencing trouble processing your donation, kindly contact Nadia Derelieva at (917) 328-1611 or via email: nadia@empowersafrica.org
Volcanoes Safaris Partnership Trust Campaigns
Bwindi Bar Youth Hospitality Training Program
Funding required $2,500
Bwindi Bar provides practical hospitality training for local disadvantaged youths living near Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. For a contribution of $2,500 you can sponsor 4 trainees for a 3-month hospitality training program.
Read more about the Bwindi Bar Youth Hospitality Training Program
Gahinga Batwa Village
Funding required $125,000
In 1991 the Batwa, an indigenous community, were removed forcibly from the Mgahinga area to create a National park for gorillas. They became ‘conservation refugees’, living a marginal existence, without land, without rights. In 2018 VSPT built a permanent village for the 100 strong Batwa, together with a community centre and land for agricultural and recreational use. VSPT has spent about $250,000 on the village and providing support for health, education, and water provision. With a contribution of $100,000 VSPT can purchase approximately 10 acres of land to be able to expand the village with up to 20 new homes for Batwa families. Additionally an annual contribution of $25,000 will also provide medical support and adult education to all Batwa families in the village.
Virunga Solar Power Project
The project aims to provide access to electricity to local communities around Virunga Lodge. We have partnered with a company in Rwanda to supply solar panels to families around Virunga Lodge. Guests are invited to donate a solar panel to a family. A donation of $200 covers the cost of purchase and installation. With a contribution of $10,000 we can provide 50 homesteads with solar panels.
Kyambura Gorge Wildlife Buffer Zone
Funding required $160,000
Since 2009 VSPT has been purchasing land which borders Kyambura Gorge. This helps protect the threatened chimpanzees in the gorge and reduce human-wildlife conflict. VSPT has spent over $700,000 so far, purchasing land at fair market prices. In 2022 we are aiming to increase the size of the buffer zone by twenty acres with an estimated cost of $160,000.
General Donations
If you do not have any specific project in mind and wish the organization to use their own discretion, please click here.
Donations can also be made by check or wire transfer:
Checks should be made out to “Empowers Africa” and should be mailed to:
Empowers Africa
2 Beekman Place, Ste. 18B
New York, NY 10022
www.empowersafrica.org
(917) 328-1611
Kindly note in the memo section of the check that funds are for Volcanoes Safaris Partnership Trust. Or email us at info@empowersafrica.org.
For wire transfer details or more information, please email us at info@empowersafrica.org.
Empowers Africa has been approved as a U.S. public charity, contributions to which are tax deductible for U.S. federal income tax purposes under Section 501(c)(3) [EIN: 32-0403737] of the U.S. Internal Revenue Code.
Thank you for your support!