Dear Supporter,

For many of us, the holidays are a time for reflection. As we look back on 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic will occupy a central role—it caused so much suffering and death around the world. But it also provided many examples of selflessness and altruism—hope for a better world. We were also given proof that nature is resilient if we give her a chance, that if we get together we can create a better relationship with nature, a better world for all.

Thanks to you, hundreds of chimpanzees who may not have survived are getting a chance to thrive. We are fighting to end the illegal bushmeat and pet trades by working collaboratively with local communities, NGOs and governments. We’re coming to the aid of chimpanzees in sanctuaries, helping to provide ways of protecting them from COVID-19. We’re providing communities in Africa with the information and tools to protect their own environment, understanding it is for their own future as well as for wildlife. We provide micro-credit programs, scholarships to keep girls in school during and after puberty, workshops that provide information about agroforestry, permaculture, water management and so on. And we are empowering thousands of young people around the globe through our Roots & Shoots program, encouraging them to choose and act upon projects to make the world a better place for people, animals and the environment. Most of all, we’re demonstrating what is possible when our brains work in harmony with our hearts to make the world a better place for all.

As I reflect on how we persevered this year, I am filled with gratitude for your support, because you and our other supporters are proof that a better future is possible. Together, let us continue to spread hope throughout the world, and build a better future. I wish you a healthy and safe holiday season, and I look forward to your continued interest in and support for our work in the months to come!

Warmly,

Jane Goodall, Ph.D., DBE
UN Messenger of Peace
Founder, the Jane Goodall Institute