Pole Pole Foundation

20/03/2026

The first photo is from 9 years ago when we collected sewing machines from kind people here in the UK, to ship to the DRC to start a sewing group as part of our Women’s Empowerment Program.

The sewing group now has 60 sewing machines and can make the most amazing things with them.
They even made some school uniforms which we were able to subsidise so that the poorer parents could afford them.
They also make reuseable sanitary pads for the girls at the secondary school which, along with us building a nice new toilet block, helps to keep the girls in school so that they don’t miss out on their education.
What an impact a lot of secondhand sewing machines have had! .. and continue to have.

Many, many thanks to everyone who donated machines. Some of them were family heirlooms - we heard various stories of “my grandmother sewed my mum’s wedding dress on it” etc.
Rest assured, they are still very much treasured. 🙏

09/03/2026

EXCITING NEWS TO FOLLOW INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’s DAY!

Today sees the launch of a new project which has the ability to change lives - putting life choices where they belong; in the hands of our young people.
Our ‘Moonbeads’ or ‘Perles de Lune’ project will teach young girls about their bodies, giving them the opportunity to know themselves better so that, when the time comes, they will be able to practice family planning.
The younger generation do not want to have very large families and always be struggling to pay for schooling, medicines, clothing and food.
In a country where there is no social security system, poverty is crushing.
So we are very excited to get this new project underway.

08/03/2026

Happy International Women’s Day everyone!

Watch out for some exciting news tomorrow.

01/10/2025

Our condolences to all who knew her.

With deepest sorrow, we share the news that Dr. Jane Goodall, our founder, mentor, and friend, has passed away. 💔

Jane changed the way the world understands animals, people, and the natural world. From her groundbreaking discoveries at Gombe to her tireless work for conservation and peace, she inspired millions with her courage, compassion, and unwavering hope.

Her vision lives on through the Jane Goodall Institute and Roots & Shoots, in the countless young people she empowered, and in the hearts of everyone moved by her message: that every one of us has the power to make a difference. 🌍✨

Today is a profoundly sad day for the planet. But Jane’s light continues in all of us.

We invite you to share your memories, tributes, and reflections in her honour. Together, we will keep her legacy alive.

🕊️ Rest peacefully, Jane. Thank you for showing us the way

12/08/2025

Times are hard at the moment, as the ongoing conflict makes it difficult to get about and safely do what we need to do.
We are so grateful to our eco-guards for their commitment.
Hopefully it won’t be long before we can all circulate as we need to.

11/06/2025

Life is tough in times of conflict.
We are still here, doing our work.
It is good to see so much support for habitat protection in the local communities.
Hopefully the conflict will end very soon and we can pick up the pieces and move forward.
Thank you to all who have sent kind messages of support.
If you would like to make a donation to help us, please use the link below or visit our website and follow the links there.
🙏 thank you 🙏

https://www.peoplesfundraising.com/donation/popof-uk

21/03/2025

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 21, 2025

Gorillas on the Frontline: A Fight For Survival in War-Torn Congo.


What the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) may lack in monetary wealth, it makes up for with the riches that reside in the UNESCO world heritage site of the Kahuzi-Biega National Park (KBNP), and the surrounding community forests. This diverse ecosystem is home to the world’s largest and most threatened primates; the Eastern Lowland Gorillas (ELGs). The KBNP is one of the few places in the world where humans can see these gorillas in the wild, and experience the in-depth human connection with one of our closest DNA cousins.

The survival of the critically-endangered ELGs, alongside a rich diversity of wildlife species and their unique rainforest habitat, depends on the KBNP’s communities and rangers, who are supported by the Pole Pole Foundation. Established 30 years ago , the Pole Pole Foundation was created in response to the root cause of deforestation and bushmeat poaching: poverty and hunger. Desperate communities have had to survive on the principle “empty stomachs have no ears”. With its dedication to sustainable community education, skills training, food security (through agricultural initiatives and feeding programmes) and habitat restoration, the Pole Pole Foundation aims to contribute towards protecting the ELGs and their habitat, through community-led conservation.

The presence of militia and the destructive impact of their illegal activities on the KBNP’s ecosystem, as well as their threat to those protecting these treasured resources, has escalated with significant security challenges in 2025.

Currently, the ELGs, along with their protectors, are caught up in a war, the consequences of which may span over decades. With disrupted operations and forced inaccessibility to resources, the humanitarian crisis among the communities that safeguard the park is critical.

This war is a collective endangerment and potential extinction of an ecosystem, the core global population of ELGs and their human protectors.

Considering the park's historic vulnerability to armed conflict, urgent international action to safeguard this critical ecosystem is required in order to prevent further loss of the ELG population and their habitat.

Hope rests in your hands. It is essential to protect those who cannot defend themselves and to secure a future where these magnificent creatures can thrive, ensuring their survival for generations to come.
By making a financial contribution to the Pole Pole Foundation during this critical time, you will help preserve vital projects that support the communities within and around KBNP. This support is crucial in preventing individuals from resorting to extreme measures, such as relying on the surrounding habitat and poaching wildlife for food. Supporting the Pole Pole Foundation means granting the habitat a chance to recover, allowing the remaining population of ELGs to live longer and providing local communities with the opportunity for self-sufficiency (protect, preserve, co-exist).

How can you help?
Please share and promote this foundation as much as you can to raise awareness for its communities and wildlife.
Financial donations at this time can provide immediate relief.

To make a financial contribution via one of the following secure payment channels, please refer to the relevant payment links below:

Global Donations
https://www.polepolefoundation.org/donate
PAYPAL

United Kingdom
https://www.polepolefoundation.org/donate which links to below :
https://www.peoplesfundraising.com/donation/popof-uk
You can also send cheques to the POPOF UK. All the funds will be sent to POPOF DR Congo.
Address: The Pole Pole Foundation UK, 34 Church Meadow, Surbiton, Surrey, KT6 5EW, UK
All cheques should be made payable to "The Pole Pole Foundation UK".
Any UK taxpayers can increase their donations by 25% if they fill in a Gift Aid form, which you can download from here.

United States of America
You can donate to The Pole Pole through our website here:
https://www.generationawakening.org/donate (scroll to select The Pole Pole Foundation) or the direct Paypal LINK HERE
To avoid the Paypal 3% processing fee you can mail a check to:
(made out to:) Generation Awakening
9911 Frederick Circle
Huntington Beach, CA 92646
Other
https://www.polepolefoundation.org/donate

18/02/2025

PLEASE CAN YOU HELP?

As you may be aware, there has been some recent conflict in our area.

The rebel militia reached our village a few days ago.

They decided to break into our secondary school at Anga, and vandalised it.

They stole the money which had been put aside for the teachers’ wages this month - $300 - and generally made a mess of the place; breaking furniture and ripping doors from their frames.

Please, if you can help us to replace the teachers’ wages, in particular, we would be so extremely grateful.

The school had been closed and all the students had been sent home because of the approaching militia, so the very good news is that nobody was hurt.

The money can be replaced, the furniture can be mended, and the buildings can be repaired.

With many thanks for anything you, our dear followers, can spare. 🙏

Onwards and upwards for Anga School !

https://www.peoplesfundraising.com/donation/popof-uk