Forest of Hope Association (FHA) is a National Rwandan Non Government Organization (NGO) focusing on the conservation of the Gishwati-Mukura National Park in Western Rwanda. Established in January 2012, FHA emerged from – and builds on the Gishwati Area Conservation Program (GACP), an International NGO that worked on conservation of the Gishwati-Mukura National Park from 2008 through 2011.
From 2008 to current, impressive conservation impacts have been achieved at the northern part of this park, Gishwati, : illegal use of the forest declined sharply; the size of the reserve increased from 886 to 1,484 hectares, the number of chimpanzees grew from 13 to 30, the 600 hectares added to the core forest are naturally regenerating and chimpanzees started using this area. Social impact is also obvious: local jobs have been generated (GACP employed 29 people and currently FHA has full time 14 staff of which 11 filled by local people; 13 school eco-clubs were established and participate in annual competitions, the capacity of 10 local cooperatives is increased in cooperative management and improving their products, and the capacity of 3 community groups is increased in community tourism development.
FHA - after its predecessor GACP - has been critical to the survival of Gishwati-Mukura National Park and its biodiversity. We are taking the GACP mission forward by continuing engaging local communities in conservation of the Gishwati-Mukura National Park. Their main activities are conservation education, mitigating crop raiding, improving local livelihoods and facilitating research on the biodiversity of the Gishwati-Mukura National Park. With the support from The West Chester University foundation (WCUF) FHA is operating the Gishwati Research Station to facilitate biodiversity researches on Gishwati- Mukura national Park.
With the support from The West Chester University Foundation of Pennsylvania, FHA is collaborating with Wilderness Safaris in the areas of tourism, conservation and community development, focusing on chimpanzee monitoring and habituation, community education, tourism product development and more. Through this collaboration the Forest of Hope Guest House and Camp Site is also established at the Gishwati Research Station and will soon open. Every visit contribute to the reforestation, protection and conservation of the park’s diversity and the upliftment of its surrounding communities.
