Bwindi - Uganda

AMAGARA Farming Co-operative, Bwindi

AMAGARA is a non-profit community organisation that helps its members to increase crop yield and manage natural resources by employing natural pest controls and fertilisers. AMAGARA helps keep the revenue that tourism brings to the area in the locality. In turn, this raises their household income and reduces encroachment on the forest. It gives the community a greater incentive to conserve the forest's resources. In 2009 VSPT bought a motorbike and trailer for AMAGARA to help transport their produce to local markets and lodges.

Bwindi Community Hospital, Buhoma

Founded in 2003 as a mobile clinic by Dr Scott Kellerman, the hospital now provides healthcare and education for over 60,000 people. The hospital runs maternity and paediatrics wards as well as outpatient programs for conditions including HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis, Epilepsy and Diabetes. The hospital works extensively with the Batwa community, helping to address their specific health needs. The VSPT has contributed to recent projects including improving the adult wards and providing new facilities and equipment. The VSPT also helps facilitate funding through individual donations from Volcanoes Safaris clients. In 2012 the VSPT pledged funds in support of an annual project, 'Sanitation Project for Schools and Homesteads in Uganda', which aims to improve public awareness of hygiene and sanitation and to empower children to become active agents of sustainable hygiene and sanitation.                      

Further information: http://www.bwindihospital.com/