Protecting Chimpanzees

As spring breathes new life into the forests of West Africa, we are pleased to share encouraging updates from our conservation work in Guinea’s High Niger National Park (HNNP), made possible through your ongoing support.

This year, DSWF will continue to support our partner’s environmental education programme. Last year, 1,000 children from grades four and five across 15 schools in the Faranah and northern regions participated in classroom sessions focused on biodiversity, forests, and local wildlife. Given the strong demand and the aim to expand into new communities, we expect similar or slightly increased numbers in the coming year. In addition, 200 of these children will take part in a forest excursion which serves as a more immersive experience designed to deepen their understanding and appreciation of the natural world.

Our partners are also continuing to grow nature clubs for children outside of the school system, providing an accessible version of their established education programme. To support this expansion, a second educator has been hired in the northern region, and all educators will receive enhanced training to ensure sessions are engaging, interactive and impactful. This includes participatory teaching techniques, behavioural change communication, and modern learning tools.

Educational activities are being extended to adults, with five environmental awareness workshops planned this year, covering topics such as chimpanzee protection, sustainable agriculture, overfishing, and the importance of forest ecosystems.

Beekeeping continues to be a core livelihood initiative, with 15 beekeepers set to receive training in financial management and record-keeping, alongside the provision of protective clothing and honey collection tools to improve safety and production.

Thank you for making this work possible. Your continued support is helping to protect Guinea’s forests, empower communities, and safeguard the future of endangered chimpanzees.