Partners in Conservation

PIC is a grass-roots project working within a collaborative environment to support in situ conservation in Africa and conservation outreach programs in the United States. PIC was founded by staff and docents at the Columbus Zoo in 1991 after learning about the outbreak of civil war in Rwanda.

PIC in Rwanda

Each year, PIC co-founders Charlene Jendry and Jeff Ramsey travel to Rwanda with Charlene’s husband, Bobby, to meet with PIC artisans and conservation projects. They spend six weeks traveling around the country, placing orders with the artisans, meeting with our various partners in Rwanda and picking up the beautiful handicrafts to take back to sell in the States. Our tour group was invited to join them for two weeks of this experience. Jeff, Charlene, Bobby and Tim (a PIC volunteer) stayed for 6 weeks and were working the entire time. We had the opportunity to see PIC in action and see what all goes into getting the beautiful handicrafts we have for sale in the United States. It is truly amazing! We also had the chance to see all of the other things PIC is involved with and meet many of PIC’s Rwandan colleagues.

Some of PIC's programs:

  • Artisan Cooperatives
  • Education programs
  • Goat and bicycle projects
  • Imbabazi Orphanage
  • Nyungue Forest Conservation Project
  • Pole Pole Foundation
  • Mountain Gorilla Veterinary Project

 

It was an honor to finally meet Frederic.

How I became involved with PIC…

I heard about Frederic Ndabaramiye on an ABC News special. Frederic’s story inspired me to get involved with PIC to help the people of Rwanda and the mountain gorillas by selling Rwandan handicrafts from PIC’s
Artisan Cooperative.


One of my Gorilla Gathering fundraisers.


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