Click and Save Gorillas!

Click and save gorillas! Vote for YoG project online

In just ten seconds online you could help YoG and the Gorilla Organization to continue funding a vital project that reduces pressure on precious Mountain Gorilla forests in DR Congo, helping them survive in the long-term.

Out of nearly a thousand nominations, the Year of the Gorilla ‘Jiko Stoves’ project in the area surrounding the Virunga National Park has been selected as one of only twelve finalists in the World Challenge 09 competition.

Online voters simply have to visit http://www.theworldchallenge.co.uk/2009-finalists-project04.php?
and cast a vote for the DR Congo ‘Jiko Stoves’ project. It takes only ten seconds and does not require registration. Please forward this to EVERYBODY to ensure the Stoves project wins the prize!

The area surrounding the Virunga National Park in DR Congo, home to the critically endangered Mountain Gorilla, is densely populated, with most families reliant on firewood and charcoal for cooking and heating. The collection of firewood often has a detrimental effect on the gorilla habitat, and is also very time-consuming and physically exhausting for the villagers and children involved.

Partnering with local group AIDE-Kivu, the Gorilla Organization launched the fuel-efficient stove project in 2008, producing and distributing Jiko stoves which reduce the consumption of firewood and charcoal by at least 75%. Families with fuel-efficient stoves are now using on average just 1.5 sacks of charcoal a month compared to four sacks per month before.

The Director of The Gorilla Organization, Jillian Miller, says “The Jiko Stoves project in DR Congo has shown proven success in reducing the consumption of firewood and charcoal which is a huge threat to the critically endangered mountain gorilla. Winning the $20 000 prize money in the World Challenge competition would fund this vital project for an entire year.