On September 24th, 2024, the spirit of unity and conservation was alive as GRACE and the communities we serve came together for World Gorilla Day! This year’s celebrations spanned eight villages—Katoyo, Kasugho, Kagheri, Bunyatenge, Muhanga, Busuri, Vusigha, and Kitolu—each buzzing with excitement. From a thrilling football match to impactful tree planting activities, the day was a blend of fun and education, all underscored by a powerful message: it’s our collective responsibility to protect these majestic creatures.
Gorillas face some tough challenges like habitat loss, the illegal wildlife trade, and climate change. But on World Gorilla Day, the communities in the DRC showed that they are not backing down in the fight for conservation.
Katoyo: Football Fever and Gorilla Fun
The village of Katoyo kicked off World Gorilla Day with a football match between the GRACE staff and the local youth team. It was a blast! Who won? We all did, because conservation of the Congo Basin’s rainforest benefits us all. 🌍
After some solid action on the pitch, everyone gathered for a big clean-up, speeches, poems, and songs about—you guessed it—our favorite primates.
With 7,800 participants, Katoyo didn’t hold back in celebrating. The day wrapped up with a special radio broadcast, loads of community spirit, and even some goodies for local schools, including chalk and gorilla protector bracelets!
Kasugho: School’s in Session!
Over in Kasugho, the energy was just as high. Students flocked to hear speeches about gorilla conservation, with local leaders and teachers joining forces to spread the word. The day wasn’t just about talks, though; the community came together for waste collection, radio broadcasts, and performances by talented local kids.
8,000 people were part of Kasugho’s festivities, and by the end of the day, everyone was buzzing with excitement. It was a perfect mix of education and fun, and it reminded us all that protecting gorillas is a responsibility we share!
Kagheri: Let’s Clean Up and Celebrate
Kagheri took World Gorilla Day to the next level with processions, dramas, and, of course, a massive clean-up effort. You could feel the pride as locals paraded through the streets, spreading the conservation message. Afterward, speeches and songs echoed through the village, with 7,500 participants showing their support for our gorilla friends.
Bunyatenge: Tree-Planting Power
In Bunyatenge, the community went green—literally. As part of the day’s conservation efforts, they planted trees, a beautiful symbol of hope for the future of gorillas and their habitat. The villagers also enjoyed a procession, speeches, and poems from local students, with 5,000 people joining in on the fun.
There were smiles all around as videos of gorillas were projected for everyone to watch, and the day ended with a conservation action that really planted the seed (pun intended) for future events!
Muhanga: Gorillas, Poems, and Hope
Muhanga was all about community spirit, with a mix of tree planting, processions, and heartfelt speeches. Local students performed poems, and the day ended with a community gathering where 4,000 people raised their voices in support of gorilla conservation.
Vusigha: A First-Time Celebration
For the very first time, Vusigha joined in the World Gorilla Day celebrations, and wow, did they go big! With waste clean-up efforts, processions, and educational conferences, the 3,000 participants proved that this event is here to stay. The excitement was contagious, and everyone left with a renewed commitment to protecting gorillas into the future.
Burusi: Another First!
In Burusi, 4,500 people came together to show their love for gorillas and pledge their support for conservation efforts during their first-ever World Gorilla Day celebrations. The day was filled with waste collection, a procession around the village, traditional dances by elders, and poems recited by primary school students.
Kitolu (Ngitse): Dancing for Gorillas
Kitolu had a blast with its first-ever World Gorilla Day! The village’s 5,000 participants embraced the spirit of the day with waste collection, speeches, traditional dances, and poems from the local kids. Kitolu made it clear that this celebration was just the beginning of something special.
Seeing the communities’ unwavering support for gorillas, with 46,300 people coming together across 8 villages, not only fills us with gratitude, but also fuels our passion and dedication to continue our work.