Through a jointly managed program with the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS), Osmose has developed an integrated approach through three types of programmes:
Conservation: close protection of waterbird colonies by a local conservation team employing 25 villagers, half of them being former bird collectors
Education: indoor and outdoor environmental classes for over 1,100 children, instilling care and appreciation for their natural environment
Ecotourism: organisation of guided tours to the bird sanctuary and floating villages for small groups aiming to provide alternative income-generating activities for villagers
In addition, we have developed a floating gardens project to assist 54 families in growing products for both consumption and sale. We also support the revival of local knowledge of water hyacinth weaving, which the community sells as handicrafts. This has helped to improve the livelihoods of 24 village women and to reduce the spread of water hyacinth on the lake. We also provide health and schooling assistance to the poorest families.