About Friends of Bwindi

Friends of Bwindi was started in June 2007 by a group of ordinary people living in England, UK, who were lucky enough to be born in a place where everyone has a chance of an education, health care and other support.

The organisation was founded by Jo Burton when she returned from her second visit to the region, supported by family, friends and colleagues. During her visits, Jo realised that many visitors are motivated to help the community but find it difficult to do so once they return home. Find out more about how and why we started Friends of Bwindi

We aim to work with local people to help them implement sustainable and holistic projects for which they have identified a need. Our charitable objects enable us to support a range of local projects, as well as supporting students through school and college. We also hope to work with other charities with compatible aims, increasing the profile of local organisations and accessing useful programmes such as those providing livestock and agricultural resources/IT equipment etc. More about our aims, mission and values

Our trustees and volunteers have a range of skills and experience in charity management and other relevant areas. More about our trustees and volunteers

Friends of Bwindi is a charitable non profit organisation, run entirely by volunteers working from home. This means that overheads are minimal with no staff costs, office costs etc. We are registered with HMRC Charities and have charitable status.

If you have any questions, want to help out or want to get in touch for any reason please contact us

Bwindi Impenetrable Rainforest is a National Park in the south of Uganda, and is one of the last remaining habitats of rare mountain gorillas. Since the area was designated as a wildlife reserve the gorilla population is recovering.

The human population are less fortunate. The area has been badly hit by HIV/AIDS. Uganda was one of the worst hit areas leaving many orphans, some of whom are HIV positive.