About Us

Who we are

Selfless Hands Bwindi SHB is a nonprofit Organisation aimed at providing sustainable support to the disadvantaged and at risk community members around the protected areas in South Western Uganda such as Bwindi, and Mgahinga conservation areas (districts of Kisoro, Kanungu, Rubanda and Kabale, Kigezi Region), with a vision of expanding the area of operation to other protected areas.

Following the COVID19 lockdown and closure of many businesses, the biggest impact in this region was felt in tourism.

As tourism supports various sectors in Uganda, most of the people living next to conservation areas were strongly impacted and were no longer able to provide for their families. Covid-19 was a huge threat to both conservation and tourism, with no jobs and the draw of the forests for poaching.

This, in fact, played out within two weeks of the closing of the national park and the borders. Local poachers, who could no longer reach their land across a closed border, went into the park to poach for meat. In this action, they came across a gorilla family and killed a well-known and much-loved silverback, named Rafiki (1st June, 2020) The need became clear to have an organized platform to raise awareness of such situations and to contribute in providing solutions. These families have a great role to play in combating climate change, Thus, Selfless Hands Bwindi was formed with the need to sensitize and empower people in these communities.

Mission Statement/ Vision

To work with communities to reduce levels of hunger, poverty and illiteracy while protecting the wild and natural areas.
As a result of the global covid pandemic, the following lockdown and closure of many businesses, the biggest impact in these regions was felt in tourism. As tourism is such a multi sector business, the majority of the people in these areas were strongly impacted, and no longer able to provide for their families.
By having the vision to create self sustaining communities around such protected areas it will give appreciation to the importance of wildlife, nature, and climate change.

Objectives

Promoting biodiversity conservation and reducing illiteracy levels in communities around protected areas
Contributing to poverty eradication in these communities
Promoting community sanitation
Extending aid and education to youth, (Uganda is currently among the top countries with high population growth) this pose a threat to conservation
Extending basic health services like family planning to these communities

Our Story

Background

Covid-19 has been a huge threat to both conservation and tourism, with no jobs and the draw of the forests for poaching. This, in fact played out within two weeks of the closing of the park and the borders and of opening this charity. Local poachers, who could no longer reach their land across a closed border, went into the park to poach for meat. In this action, they came across a gorilla family and killed a well known and much loved silverback, named Rafiki.
The need became clear to have an organized platform to raise awareness of such situations and to contribute in providing solutions.

Milestones

When Phenny Mbabazi, founder of SHB and Director of Expedite Wildlife Tours, returned to his home village of Buhoma, there was no more active tourism and the needs of his community were striking. We started out as a GO Fund Me campaign to distribute foods, salt, soap and masks. After several successful distributions our focus changed to providing families with hoes and seeds (corn, beans) This direction met with much success as it provided those in need with a supply of food stuff and also self esteem for growing the crops to feed their families. Within the practice of subsistence farming there is no longer the need to rely only on tourism. Having raised 3,486$ we were able to benefit over 200 families.
The campaign targeted the neediest families, the elderly, widows, disabled and orphans.

Motivation

We believe that for conservation policies to be effective, communities must be involved. Therefore,, our focus is on scalable solutions to meet the basic needs of the very poor communities around protected areas by using Selfless Hands Bwindi as the vehicle to deliver this impact.
By supporting these communities with agricultural aid materials, supporting education and health alongside conservation awareness through training and workshops, providing indigenous trees and nursery beds, good conservation practices will develop

Our Team

Phenny Mbabazi

Founder & Chairman Board

Bonanza Ndyamuhaki

Secretary & Dentist

Fortunate Akatusasira

Projects Manager

Ben Mercadante

Advisor and support Director

Judy Sarazan Billman

Women program Advisor and Fundraiser

Fortunate Atuheire

Social Worker, councillor & Volunteer

Elizabeth Akorabyoona

Midwife & Family Planning advisor

About US