GOSESO
has received strong and unwavering support from the Tanzanian government and
local citizenry. We remain excited about this partnership as Tanzania offers
a stable political climate and natural communities rich in biodiversity. The
country has one of the best investment climates in Africa.
With early and crucial financial support from local and international stakeholders, GOSESO has advanced its mission of bridging economic prosperity and environmental stewardship to one of the world’s most impoverished areas: the Lake Tanganyika Region in western Tanzania, Africa. Since its inception in 2005, GOSESO has:
• Generated widespread grassroots support, throughout Tanzania, focused on environmental stewardship, community-building and economic sustainability for the hundreds of thousands of people and wildlife who make the Lake Tanganyika Region their home.
• Shown local, national and international leaders (governmental and non-governmental) the need to address the rapid degradation of the region's natural resources.
• Developed a strategic plan that enables GOSESO to:
o Initiate economically significant yet environmentally sensitive demonstration projects.
o Lead critical educational programs for youth and adults.
o Attract, apply, and channel resources, financial and human, to support environmental preservation by providing economic hopes to the people of the region.
Partnership with the twenty local villages near Kitobe Forest has helped us develop protocols and strategies that blend habitat improvement while providing sustainable economic opportunities for local villagers.
Local partners in western Tanzania include village governments, Kigoma District Council, Gombe Stream National Park, and the Offices of Kigoma Regional and District Commissioners. Our national partners include the Ministry of Education and Vocational Training, the Tanzanian National Environment Management Council, the Tanzania National Parks Authority, and the Central government of the Republic of Tanzania.
International partners include Utah State University, the Teton Science Schools
in Wyoming, International Community Foundation of San Diego, Ashoka Foundation,
Cell Signaling Technology of Massachusetts, Matthews Community Foundation
of Virginia, New England Biolabs Foundation, and our committed individual
donors.
National Environment Management Council (Tanzania):
“GOSESO will catalyze...development process...and spearhead environmental management in our country."
Ministry of Education and Culture (Tanzania):
“…GOSESO…is one of the first serious initiatives founded and led by the natives of an ecologically and socially degraded region."
Kigoma District Council (Lake Tanganyika Region):
"The District urgently needs...GOSESO...to serve our people."
Terry L. Sharik, Professor and Department Head (Utah State University):
"...what sets GOSESO apart from others is that it is being driven by an astute and dynamic young African rather than outsiders..."
Jack Shea, Executive Director (Teton Science Schools):
"We have had the pleasure of working with GOSESO for four years and are excited to be a partner in this project... Teton Science Schools fully supports and is committed to the partnership with GOSESO. We strongly recommend efforts to begin this remarkable project in Tanzania."