“The Friends of Vamizi Trust” Mission Statement:

“Relieve poverty, provide education and create alternative sustainable monetary income opportunities to local communities with the long-term aim to protect the marine resources of Northern Mozambique.”

“Vamizi coral reefs are among the most bio-diverse in the Indian Ocean. The rapid recovery of fish populations in the community policed marine sanctuary is unprecedented in the region and indicates the importance of working together with the local communities for marine conservation.” Isabel Silva, WWF Conservation Manager, Vamizi Island

In early 2012, The Friends of Vamizi Trust was established. It’s a UK registered charity whose primary aim is to provide the mechanism to fundraise, to support of the work of the Community Team and the WWF who manage and carry out the community and conservation projects on Vamizi Island.

These projects are multi-functional but the main aims include:

• Reducing levels of poverty in local communities, by introducing alternative and sustainable sources of income
• Providing environmental education to encourage the protection of natural resources
• Designing sustainable projects that are self-maintained and run by the community and the government. e. g. clinic, school, community centre
• Protecting the marine ecosystem through self-governed community initiatives and responsible use e. g. the establishment of the Fishing Association and the community managed Vamizi Marine Sanctuary.

The intended outcome is strong self-governed community institutions, independently organized, which govern and protect the local resources.

The Friends of Vamizi Trust: UK Charity Commission Reg. 1147351.

For more information, please email: friendsofvamizi@vamizi.com