Vincent Twagirayezu Founder/C.E.O CHILDREN CONSERVATIONISTS PROGRAMME (CCP)
Christian, husband and father, Vincent is a Conservationist- a Rwandan-Ugandan, born in Uganda in 1981. He worked in Volcanoes National Park as a tourist guide under Rwanda Development Board (RDB) for 7 years before he started his own tour and travel company-Golden Trekkers Africa. Vincent has several training in tourism and conservation which made him grow in this sector. In 2010 Vincent was lucky enough to have been part of the international team that conducted the mountain gorilla census in Rwanda, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and Uganda. Vincent’s achievements and successes to a greater extent are attributed to the wildlife and that is why he has put his focus on conserving National parks and wildlife reserves for the future generation. Vincent believes that when children are groomed at an early stage to love and conserve the environment, they grow up to be good ambassadors of conservation. He realized his dream of starting a conservation organisation in 2018 and branded it ‘CHILDREN CONSERVATIONISTS PROGRAMME’.
Dr. Marie-France Côté (Canada) Technical Advisor and fundraising) Dr. Marie-France Côté obtained her PhD from the Quebec (Canada) faculty of veterinary medicine in 1996. Becoming a vet is not her only big accomplishment, she is also businesswoman as she owns the clinic that is situated in the province of Quebec (Canada) where she has been practicing medicine for small animals for the past 22 years. She is passionate about all types of animals, but primates hold a special place in her heart. Growing up, her mentors were: Dr. Jane Goodall, Dr. Dian Fossey and finally Dr. Birute Galdikas. Dr Marie had the privilege of meeting Dr. Goodall and Galdikas. Stopping at nothing, Marie has travelled in Rwanda, Uganda and Borneo so that she could see as many primates as possible at a close range. During her visit to Rwanda, she toured the Volcanoes National Park to spend time with the mountain Gorillas. There she met an exceptional guide that was passionate about animals, the environment and had the willingness to make a difference in the world that surrounds him. The guide that day was Vincent Twagirayezu. Since then they have become friends. ‘It is an honour for me to be part of such a great project
Silvia Garrido López (Spain & Switzerland) Board Vice Chairperson and in charge of Volunteer Programme and Strategic Management An international soul at heart and a fierce advocate of biodiversity preservation, Silvia holds a Master´s Degree in English from the University of Seville and a MSc. in Economy and Politics from the Charles University in Prague. With international professional experience ranging from Accounting to Talent Management, she recently graduated in MSc. Human Resources Management from Heriot-Watt University, Edinburgh Business School. Silvia is originally from Spain but lives abroad for the last 15 years. Having had the chance to study, work and volunteer in 8 countries in 3 different continents and gain cross-functional experience in HR and finance fields, she has also had the opportunity to develop in-depth knowledge in NGO strategic planning and volunteer management after volunteering as HR Strategic Advisor for two NGOs in Peru and Guatemala. After spending some time on the ground between Fort Portal and Kampala, mentoring children in different schools near national parks in Uganda and actively involved developing strategies with the CCP board team, she took the role of Volunteer Programme & Strategy Manager. Besides supporting the work of CCP by contributing knowledgeably to the strategic development of the NGO she is directly responsible for the Volunteer Programme, focused on improving volunteer’s recruitment and management before, during and after the experience. Email: coo@childrenconservationists.org
Mercy Gloria Ashepet (Uganda) Board member in charge of Fundraising and Research I am a PhD student affiliated to the Royal Museum of Central Africa and KU Leuven. I have a strong background, knowledge and skills in introductory, field and applied Biological disciplines (BSc. Biological studies at Makerere University) and human-environment interactions (MSc Human-Ecology at Vrije Universiteit Brussels). As a young biologist from a developing country with many conflicting needs of development, conservation and human well-being, my interests lie in understanding participatory approaches that can be used to best address such societal concerns and balance all sides of the ‘scale’. This drew my attention to research approaches like citizen science whose potential in Africa I am currently exploring. Also, I have a keen interest to promote conservation talk in all levels of the Ugandan education system as this would ensure a steady supply of stewards of nature.
Mutangana Eugene (Rwanda) Board Member - Advisor Mr. MUTANGANA Eugene is a high level enthusiast, optimist and patriot with a professional attitude always committed to serve and deliver quality service in any position he is charged with, at the centre of security mindful. He has vast tourism and conservation experience where the two (Tourism and Conservation) play a key role in boosting the socio-economic development of Rwanda, more so in particular; well conversant with the best conservation practice models that lead to self-sustainability of Rwanda’s Protected Areas and its biodiversity. He holds MSc. Environment and Development from Trinity College, University of Dublin in Ireland and a bachelors’ degree in tourism operations and wildlife management. Working as the Head of Department Conservation-RDB (Head of PAs in Rwanda), previously worked as the Head of Law Enforcement where poaching has been minimized to a commendable level and Deputy Park manager at Akagera Management Company ltd where both African lion and East African Black Rhinos have been re-introduced recently. He also worked with Volcanoes National Park as tourism warden, a home to the endangered mountain gorillas. Eugene has a rich travel exposure to different destinations, including to: USA, Ireland, Singapore, South Africa and East Africa as a home base.
Violet Kanyiginya (Uganda) Secretary to the Board and in charge of Fundraising and Research
PhD Candidate at Vrije University of Brussels and Royal Museum for Central Africa, Belgium focusing on Natural Hazards
M.Sc in Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM) with a specialization in Water and Land. B.SC in Agricultural Land Use and Management. Violet is the Climate Change and Food Security Advisor for KRC Uganda and a researcher in Natural Sciences. She has extensive experience in research having previously worked as a Lecturer at Makerere University and University of Rwanda for 9 years.
Dr. Eric Adebayo (Nigeria-USA) Board member in charge of Professional development
Eric Adebayo is an academic, a small businessman, and a former environmental conservation worker. He holds a BSc in Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics, a Master’s in Environmental Law and Policy, an MSc in International and Development Economics and a PhD in Economics with concentrations in Econometrics and Environmental Economics.
Eric is passionate about economic and business development, bringing unique products and ideas to new markets, environmental conservation, and mentorship of young people. Eric has traveled widely and appreciates the need for protecting natural spaces for current and future generations to enjoy.
Dr. Violet Kisakye (Uganda) Board member in charge of Fundraising and Research Dr. Violet Kisakye is a PhD graduate from KU Leuven, Belgium. She also holds a Master’s degree in Integrated Water Resources Management from the University of Dar es Salaam in Tanzania. She specialized in Water and Land resources from the HOORC Institute in the Okavango Delta in Botswana in 2010. Violet graduated in 2006 with a BSC in Agricultural Land Use and Management from Makerere University, Uganda. She has previously worked at Makerere University as a teaching Assistant before she joined Dynapharm international, Lusaka Zambia as an organic fertilizer consultant. She is currently a senior lecturer at Mountains of the Moon University, in Fort Portal, Uganda. She is also involved in consultancy work focusing on sustainable watershed planning and natural resource management.
Elizabeth Jorgensen, (USA) Board member in charge of Communications and Publicity Elizabeth Jorgensen is a TESOL-certified English teacher, English Major, and a Marketing minor. Her work experience includes working in South Korea and Indonesia, as well as extensive online ESL experience. In addition to English teaching she is also CEO of Code Master IT, and enjoys writing. Elizabeth cares deeply about international and environmental issues, and believes that education is the key to saving the world.
Mr. Wilson Kagoro (Uganda) Advisor to the Board Mr. Wilson Kagoro, is a teacher by profession and a conservationist by practice. Wilson is the Warden Community in Kibale National Park under the Uganda Wildlife Authority. He possesses a Bachelor of Arts in Education from Makerere University and an M.Sc in Education for Sustainability from London South Bank University.Wilson is currently pursuing a PhD in Environment and Natural Resource Management at Makerere University. Wilson has over ten years’ experience in conservation and he was part of the team that made the General Management Plan of Queen Elizabeth Protected Area, Semuliki and Kibale National Parks. He is passionate about conservation work and loves working with organized community groups and children. Wilson is a conflict management expert and a great educationist in the field of conservation. He has vast knowledge in guiding and supporting communities next to the park in developing ecotourism development. He is good at deducing conservation knowledge to local practice.
ROBIN BOUCKAERT (Zimbabwe, France): Conservation Advisor- Community Wildlife Entrepreneurship
Robin Bouckaert is a French gentleman born in 1984. As he grew up, his father was a wildlife artist who was passionate about nature. That nurtured an undying love for wildlife in him from a very tender age, also the fact that the area he grew up in was surrounded by several thousand hectares of nature’s wonders was icing on the cake. Growing up in Compiegne where the majestic Oise river flows and surrounded by a lot to explore in wildlife, Robin developed an indescribable affinity for wildlife. With the love of nature deeply embedded in his heart, he attained his first degree in law. Shortly after university he then decided to focus on a Safari and Travel Company which he had started at age 18 in South Africa as opposed to pursuing a law career. Through regular travel to Africa, Robin admired the culture and an enormous interest for Africa grew inside him. He also ventured in the petroleum industry, creating a company which did exceptionally well in the sector. During the operation of this company, he met his Juliet, a woman brilliant in every way who also loved nature. As their love story continued they decided to relocate to Africa after getting married, Zimbabwe, opening a number of businesses which created employment in the country which has high unemployment rate.
In Zimbabwe, the focus of companies formed was diversified, ranging from transport to concrete businesses. The companies have had great impact in the country in as far as employment creation and innovation is concerned. However, even with that much impact in the business sector, Robin was never satisfied, neither was he happy chiefly because he had not fulfilled his wildlife and nature calling. To add on to his unsettled conscience was the realization that a lot of communities were living in unfavorable conditions but he had not done anything sufficient to address this issue. After a long while of his conscience nagging him to take action in the conservation world he started Communities Wildlife Conservation in the year 2017. Things took a huge U-turn in 2019 when he realized his investments and only kept the transport business where he has a brilliant team running the operations allowing him lots of freedom and time. This is when it happened and CWC changed gear to become more than just a conservation initiative but a revolution in the conservation world.