Community Development
The root cause of the bushmeat trade is extreme poverty. We work with communities living near bonobos to build a better future through conservation instead of the bushmeat trade.
People-oriented conservation
The Democratic Republic of Congo is one of the poorest nations in the world. In the area around Ekolo ya Bonobo Community Reserve, people lack access to basic necessities like food, education, and health care. Bonobos are primarily killed for bushmeat – for food. To save bonobos, we must address community development and socio-economic needs.
From decades of rainforest conservation work around the world, we have learned that comprehensive, lasting change depends on local leadership and community engagement. Investing in the communities of Ekolo ya Bonobo not only supports people and bonobos, it also supports many other species, the rainforest, and the planet.
Improving Lives & Opportunities
In Education
- School Buildings
- Supplies – benches, desks, notebooks
- Conservation education materials
In Economic Development
- Ecotourism
- Jobs – 97% of our employees are Congolese
- Agriculture Workshops – Best practices for crops and livestock
In Health
- Dental Clinics
- Women’s birthing center equipment
- Medications for pharmacy
In Infrastructure
- New community building
- Medical clinic with electricity
Protecting Bonobos & the Rainforest
Ekolo ya Bonobo Community Reserve is a public-private partnership (similar to a land trust) between the Province of Équateur, Friends of Bonobos, and local communities. With rainforest habitat in decline, reserves like Ekolo ya Bonobo are critical for ensuring that wild animals have a safe place to live.
Local residents are critical partners in this conservation work. They protect and manage the forest and its resources to benefit both people and wildlife, guided by the belief that:
“Bonobos are the only 100% Congolese ape. We are proud to contribute to their protection.”
Kendra is a creative problem-solver who excels in leading end-to-end project delivery with a focus on clear goals and timely execution. She provides support to FOB’s development and communications teams and serves as assistant to the Executive Director. Originally from Panamá, Kendra is an avid traveler. She is proud to support bonobo conservation not only for the well-being of bonobos but also because it helps protect our planet.
Njango has worked in climate action and environment conservation for four years. She supports FOB through donor communications, data analysis, research, and outreach. Njango has been a fan of wildlife conservation since her visit to Ol Pejeta Conservancy as a young girl, where she saw the beauty of elephants, and how their home was threatened because of human interference. She strongly believes that the only way to achieve true utopia is to live in harmony with animals.
Amanda makes connections with FOB’s major donors. She has worked in the nonprofit sector for her entire career and found her passion for animal rights and conservation as a volunteer fundraiser for a local dog rescue. She finds that FOB coalesces multiple causes – environmental, animal rights, and community engagement. While protecting bonobos first drew her to FOB, she’s learned how we, as humans, are connected to the environment and to the bonobos that we strive to protect.
Kathleen Cook brings more than eight years of experience working across Africa, with a focus on the Democratic Republic of Congo, where she has traveled over twenty times to support projects spanning conservation, clean energy, and community development. Her career has centered around using storytelling, strategic marketing, and relationship-building to create meaningful impact.
