Go Conscious Earth (GCE) is a 'forest roots' organization. GCE's founder, Godi Godar is a child of this region, and he has dedicated his life to ensuring that this homeland of his ancestors remains intact. GCE helps to empower communities in the Lac Tumba area of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) to protect their own rainforest. Empowering people protects the forest! For example, endemic Bonobos, living only in this area south of the Congo River are protected due to the traditional values held by local people, who view Bonobos not as separate, but as ancestors. Helping people to live sustainably in their Community Forest Concessions improves livelihoods while the wildlife thrives!
I could have chosen any number of nonprofits to fundraiser for and I chose GCE. I’ve been aware of Godi and his work in the Congo for many years so when I decided as a 64 year old grandmother to run 100 miles in 30 hours, I chose GCE. I couldn’t imagine more important work than climate action and Godi’s intimate connection to his people in the rainforest provides the trust needed to get the funds where they are needed most. Thank you Godi, Barbara and all the committed individuals of GCE!
GCE has been a mainstay at the holiday market at the United Church of Chapel Hill for uncounted years. His friendly explanations to people of the work of GCE helps raise funds for this vital organization. The Alternative Gift Market would be much poorer without GCE’s presence.
Go Conscious Earth works to save our planet by preserving vast living, breathing rain forests and its rare wild animals AND acts in real ways to better the health and circumstances of the human beings who live there. This combination is truly unique and worthy of support.
I have known Godi Godar since the 1990s and even had the privilege of meeting his parents when they visited here. After his parents passed away Godar stepped into the harness to help his family, his village, and then the larger community and enormous acreage communally owned. He realized the threats and devised working strategies to save lives while protecting a million acres of rainforest, our planet’s lung. This work deserves our support.
I spent three years in the DRC and am very happy to be part of Go Conscious Earth, they are doing a very good job of being directly in touch with the people on the ground. Moteke Molanga, the founder is a native of the DRC and is very committed to doing what he can for the people there, starting with the most basic needs, drilling wells for clean water, which is definitely improving their health conditions.
Also helping to protect the forest from foreign loggers, and assisting the people there in claiming their forest rights. The people there are suffering, the problems compounded by the horrendous flooding which occurred recently all along the Congo River. This is a work much needed and I applaud their efforts. R. Dean DeBoer
Godi is a wonderful source of inspiration and guide to this nonprofit. His story is inspiring, and his commitment to the cause of conservation in his homeland is admirable. Barbara has done a great job of offering opportunities for me to support her work as a volunteer, and I really appreciate her time. I have every reason to think that the leadership behind this nonprofit are coming from a good place, and I wish them the best with all their activities.
In 2013 I was barely aware of the Democratic Republic of Congo! In 2014 my friend Godi Godar
asked me to help with a project that would improve the lives of the people who lived there. Little did I know that it would be life-changing! For the first time ever I realized that I could help make real and permanent progress in an area that has been exploited and neglected ever since
the days of King Leopold of Belgium. There have been some efforts to assist from various countries but the results have been negligible. The Magic Juice with GCE is Godi. He grew up there and is trusted by the local people. He is also fearless. I’m hooked.
Susan Attermeier
I ran a 501-c-3 organization for 15 years with my late wife in the 80's and 90's (The Center for Peace Education, no longer extant), so I know how hard it can be. Go Conscious Earth is one of the greatest non-profits I have ever known. They're helping to save the planet by helping to preserve vast swaths of the world's second largest rain forest, as well as helping individuals in the DRC, Democratic Republic of Congo. I personally know the founder, Godi Godar, and the Executive Director, Barbara Hollowell, and they're two of the finest people I've ever met. Please go to their website and support their important work. Thanks.
Go Conscious Earth (GCE) works to protect the Congo Basin Rainforest by empowering the people who live there to develop sustainable livelihoods that are consistent with positive conservation efforts. GCE was founded by Godi Godar, the son of a tribal chief, to fulfill his mother's dream of maintaining their pristine rainforest, protecting its biodiversity and improving the lives of the forest dwelling people. Our personal connection with the families who live around Lac Tumba ensures that they trust our efforts to assist them with their land development projects. They know that the future is brighter for everyone if we work together for climate stability, wildlife conservation and healthy living conditions.
The Organization can count on because we together started with little money no funding just hard working tiny group of grassroots effort to grow and continue to success !!!!
As one of the founding members of GCE I can say without reservation that it is the most impactful organization I have ever worked with. There are many groups working on preserving the critical Congo Rainforest but GCE's approach is unique because it is integrated, meaning that the work includes the people, the land, the precious flora and fauna, and the water - they are rightfully seen as an ecosystem. If only I'd been able to travel to the DRC but I'm too old and not tough enough! But I've seen the pictures and videos, and heard the stories - that's enough to keep me a supporter forever.
I have known Godi Godar the founder of GCE for well over 30 years. He is a remarkable person and awesome human being. His passion and heart for helping others is contagious - Especially helping his home country the DRC. When Godar asked me to serve on the GCE board I didn't hesitate because you do anything a friend like Godar asks you to do. The organization continues to grow and do great things. Please support this organization!
Go Conscious Earth is somewhat unique in its endeavor to address the threats to the Congo rainforest in that the roots of the NGO trace to the villagers of the Lake Tumba region of the Congo. Over the past decade GCE and other Like-minded NGO’s together with villagers collaborated with the Democratic Republic of the Congo to safeguard large tracts of the rainforest by granting concessions to certain villages as guardians. One of the principal purposes of GCE is to raise the quality of life in these villages regarding clean water, education, sustainable livelihoods, agriculture, transportation and communication, so that these people of the rainforest can more securely perform their role as forest guardians.
I just returned from a trip to the Congo with Godi Godar, the founder of Go Conscious Earth. I was there documenting the installation of 5 wells and training a water team (made up of local villagers) to maintain the wells and continue to drill wells as we provide funding and materials. This project is huge, preserving a million plus acres of rainforests, providing clean water to all of the inhabitants, establishing sustainable farming practices, women's initiatives, right livelihood, protecting the endangered animals (including Bonobos and wild forest elephants), schools and clinics. It seemed like such a huge and impossible task but after spending time in the Congo with Godar and meeting all of the literally thousands of people who are so passionate about this project and it's success, I now without a doubt believe that it is all possible and therefore must be done. The enormous family of villages that make up the Lac Tumba region have never seen war. They know how to work together to support each other and have a vast respect for the enormous rainforest that they call home. They merely lack the resources. Godar was born and raised to become the chief of one of the tribes, following in his father's footsteps, but at age 21 decided to take an opportunity to come to the states where he has lived and worked for the past 30 years. He felt that he could better serve his village from here. He is a humble and righteous leader who has earned huge popularity in the region and therefore can accomplish nearly impossible feats. Go Conscious Earth is organized and motivated for the greater good and I wholeheartedly believe in the truth, honesty and feasibility of this project and the integrity of the organization behind it. ~Meredith Shelton, photographer
No need to stress the immense importance of this work. Just read the truthful descriptions of what these folks are doing on their web site and in these reviews. It is clear, very clear, that this needs to be done.The staff and volunteers are a quite selfless group and have the passion for the moment with the dedication and smarts for the long game. Once I saw what they are doing, I felt compelled to help, to feel a part of it.
The people behind this cause were fighting for it long before there was any organization in place to support them. It is a true labor of love, and compassion, and they deserve all the aid we can give them.
In a time when it can be difficult to choose between so many non-profits out there, Go Conscious Earth is a no-brainer. GCE's mission is so unique and refreshing because of the amazing collaboration with the indigenous tribes inhabiting the land it is working to protect. It is easy to want to save beautiful and life-sustaining lands like the Lab Tumba region in DRC, but GCE's model is truly sustainable because instead of making decisions for the people living in the region they work through the tribes empowering the people to make their own decisions and take control of their ancestral lands. GCE's founder, Godi Godar, was born into one of these tribes, made a life in the USA, and has now returned to the DRC to help save his amazing home and people. I can not think of another organization that is more worthy of my support or that is better equipped to truly make a lasting impact.
Go Conscious Earth 09/18/2015
Thank you Adeline!
As a founding member of Go Conscious Earth, I can honestly say that we have started from the ground up. Those of us who began this venture did so not because we were experienced and were ready for another project. We began because there was an urgency to act before it was too late. We will keep acting and learning and growing and doing what needs to be done to keep the rain forest, it's people and all the plants and creatures who live there and who we all depend on, alive and thriving. We are so continuously grateful for all of the support and collaborations and connections that keep the momentum going.
I have known the founder Godi Godar for nearly 30 years. He's definitely the real deal. Not only has he saved a million acres of rainforest he's providing clean water to his home village and villages nearby. It's a pleasure to work with such a passionate group of people. Please give what you can to this outstanding organization.
If you want your contributions to make a real life difference, GCE is the non-profit to support. Run by truly dedicated and compassionate volunteers, this organization stands out for delivering on its commitments and remaining true to its vision.
Go Conscious Earth 09/18/2015
Thank you so much for your kind words and helpful review!
I am in complete awe of this team and their mission. I feel a responsibility to help protect this beautiful land and the gracious people of this community. I will always do what ever I can to help support GCE because I know they live and breathe this mission and that every cent raised will go directly to helping the cause. Godi is a treasure and inspires me everyday!
Go Conscious Earth 09/15/2015
Dear Joanna, as always, thank you for your support and enthusiasm for GCE!
Working with GCE has been a wonderful experience. Both Godi and Ariel are passionate, organized and driven. Having worked and partnered with many groups in the last several years, I have been pleasantly surprised at how well organized they are at meeting their objectives. This isn't always the case in the NGO space. We look forward to working with them in the future and seeing all the good they will accomplish.
Go Conscious Earth 09/15/2015
Thank you John and Micah! It has been great working with you, and we are excited for more to come!
Met Godi, the founder on a church mission. Then he told me about GCE. What is not to love about saving the rainforest in the Congo or saving theBobobos gorilla from extinction or providing fresh water for the local people . And that is just the beginning. Learn more at goconsciousearth.com
Go Conscious Earth 09/15/2015
Thank you Jim! For this and all your help and support!
Go Conscious Earth 09/15/2015
Thank you Jim! For this and all your help and support!
I cannot speak highly enough about Go Conscious Earth. The integrity, the passion and the commitment to protect this valuable land are unparalleled. It is one of the last two major lungs remaining on our planet. The people, animals and the secrets of medicines yet to be discovered in this rainforest cannot be lost! I personally will be doing everything I can to help this crucial effort!
I know first hand that every dollar given goes directly to the people and conservation efforts. That’s a rare thing to say these days when there are so many organizations that grow so large their own expenses take away from actually getting things done – this is not the case here!!!! Here at GCE you have some of the most committed people I have ever seen.
For anyone who cares about saving the environment this is one organization you must get behind. Please support them!
Go Conscious Earth 09/15/2015
Thank you Cristina! For all your championing and support of GCE and our work!
I wish I could give GCE 10 stars! Since becoming a member of the Board my eyes have been opened about how we must all work together to save the precious rainforest by working with the people who live there. It's a long haul but we have already begun the process of drilling freshwater wells so that the rainforest communities can be healthy and become the protectors of the trees and animals. As far as I know, GCE is the only organization that is taking this approach. We are a small group but the effects of our work will be spectacular!
Not only is this an extremely worthy cause, but the people involved are so compassionate and generous. I believe that GCE brings awareness about the DRC, its people and its resource. I learned so much through my involvement in the short campaign. All people of this earth deserve clean air, water, and food.
Go Conscious Earth 09/09/2015
Thank you Samantha! Your support and encouragement mean the world to us.