In the Democratic Republic of Congo, PIC partners with the Pole Pole Foundation on projects located in the buffer zone of the Kahuzi-Biega National Park. PIC purchases 95 percent of the beautiful animal carvings made by former poachers. These men are now able to make more money to care for their families from carving gorillas from wood than from killing them for bush meat.
 
During the Rwandan genocide, insurgents burned a primary school that was operated by POPOF. In 2002, PIC pledged to fund the construction of a new school for POPOF by building one room each year.   As each room is completed more students are able to attend classes that focus on the value of saving the rainforest both for wildlife and local people. PIC funded the construction of the final classroom for the school in 2007. PIC also funds teacher’s salaries, educational materials and school uniforms for POPOF’s secondary school that provide young people with an appreciation for conservation and their environment.