Settling Into New Homes: Q1 2019 PROGRESS UPDATE

The Batwa community and their families thanks to the support of Volcanoes Safaris, are taking great strides at the beginning of this year to settle into their new homes and community. Since the project got underway in 2018, about 10 acres of land have been purchased with plans to build homes, a community center and sequester land for agricultural and recreational use. The homes were completed in early 2018 and the official launch of the village took place at the end of May 2018. All in all, the Gahinga Batwa community is comprised of over 100 adults and children whom have not had permanent homes since they left the Mgahinga National Park over 25 years ago.

The Batwa are now practicing farming with VSPT support, providing this community with farm inputs to enhance food security. Integrated adult literacy classes are underway to offer the Batwa people the opportunity to learn how to read and write. In addition, health education, treatment, and monitoring is taking place by an appointed village nurse and other health workers.

Project Name: New Batwa Settlement
Organization Name: The Volcanoes Safaris Partnership Trust
Year Grant Awarded: 2017
Progress Update: Quarter 1, 2019 Project Update