On the evening of August 3, 2025, the village of Lokolama was transformed into an open-air cinema. More than 100 community members gathered to watch a special screening dedicated to the Congo Basin forest.
In the darkness, faces lit by the light of the screen reflected wonder, pride, and sometimes concern. This documentary was not just a film: it was a mirror of their daily lives and a window onto the threats facing their heritage.
When images awaken consciousness
Through sequences of majestic landscapes, iconic animals, and poignant testimonials, the inhabitants of Lokolama saw a parade of what they protect every day: their forest, their identity, their future.
“This is our home, our ancestors, and our children. The forest is us,” whispered an emotional mother, surrounded by her children captivated by the screen.
These images also served as a reminder of the dangers: deforestation, industrial exploitation, climate change. These are real threats that call for a collective and urgent response.
More than a film, a dialogue
The screening paved the way for a moment of exchange between community members and the Greenpeace Africa team. In a friendly and respectful atmosphere, everyone was able to ask questions, share their concerns, and propose solutions to better protect the forest.
This rare and precious space for dialogue strengthened mutual trust between the community and the volunteers present, laying the foundations for lasting cooperation.
Images as a tool for mobilization
This experience proves that films and images are powerful tools for raising awareness. In Lokolama, they helped to strengthen the sense of belonging and responsibility towards the forest. More than just an evening event, this screening was a catalyst for rekindling the flame of protection in everyone’s hearts.
Inspiration for the futureI realize that these three days fit together in the same narrative: learning, reconciling, and acting; seeing and committing. The forest is not just an ecosystem; it is a community of life that tells its story, protects itself, and looks to the future. At Greenpeace Africa, our role is to hold the lamp so that these stories continue to illuminate the Congo Basin—and, beyond that, the world.
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Lokolama: At the heart of indigenous forestry solutions in the Congo Basin
Earlier this month I set off for the village of Lokolama with the Greenpeace Africa team, in to immerse ourselves in the living heritage of Indigenous Peoples.
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From conflict to cooperation: when Lokolama and Penzélé chart the future of their forests together
In the heart of Ecuador province, the villages of Lokolama and Penzélé share the same mission: to protect the forests that feed their families and are home to exceptional biodiversity.