Outreach and Capacity Building

Since 2013, GMERC and friends have initiated and sponsored students in DePaul school in Uvinza. As of January 2021, we facilitate the sponsorship of nine primary-school students, with another four having been graduated to secondary school, who we continue to sponsor. We are enormously proud of these GMERC family members and equally excited to support them fulfil their intellectual potential!
 

We have regularly hosted "Environmental Education" days when GMERC team members hosted stations that illustrated everything from important plants for both humans and wildlife, to example camera trap footage from the Issa Valley. Recently, Rhianna Drummond-Clarke and Susan Chege (left) discussed the importance of science, conservation, research, and staying in school to students in Uvinza and Kigoma 

Whilst some GMERC staff are comfortable communicating in English, others identify it as an important skill that has wide ranging applications in their life, but that they seek to improve  As a result, we have regularly asked John Mayengo - a teacher from Kigoma - to the forest to host language training days with the team. These sessions build solidarity, but also inspire the team to practice what they learn from John, even after he has left. 

Tanzania's higher education institutions produce well-trained, inspired graduates each year that seek field experience, especially in research and conservation organisations. At GMERC, interns lead independent studies, help develop new data-collection protocols, and gain valuable skills in behavioural biology.  Our ability to offer these internships and support these aspiring Tanzanian scientists depends on generosity  from 3rd party donations. If you are interested in learning more, either to support this cause, or as a candidate to be considered, please reach out to us at sokwemtu@gmerc.org.