Cyrille Mvele
Co-Founder and Program Manager
Meet Cyrille
Cyrille grew up fishing in the lake region of Gabon and used the income to pay school fees. Back then, fish were in abundance and he frequently encountered wildlife on the riverbanks. Now some of these species have disappeared, some are in rapid decline, and others he very rarely sees anymore except for in the bushmeat markets. He could not stay unmoved by these rapid changes and contacted Heather Arrowood in 2010 to help initiate an ecotourism project on his father's home lake Oguemoué. Together they formed the non-profit OELO. Cyrille is a passionate public speaker and motivated community organizer. The changes he has observed over the last 30 years are compelling arguments to inspire the immediate actions needed in the Lambaréné region. He manages the ecotourism program at Tsam Tsam, coordinates community outreach and market surveys, and leads environmental education and sustainable fishing efforts.
Heather Arrowood
Co-Founder and Executive Director
Meet Heather
Heather holds a BS in Wildlife Ecology from the University of Wisconsin, Madison and an MESc in Environmental Science from the Yale School of Forestry and Environmental Studies. She has worked as an ecotourism consultant on projects in Africa and the Caribbean. She was an agroforestry Peace Corps Volunteer in northern Cameroon between 2002-2004 where she led a community-based ecotourism project in Mozogo-Gokoro National Park. Before working in Gabon, she was consulting for the private sector with tour operators, lodges, and expedition cruises. Heather and Cyrille launched the ecotourism site at Tsam Tsam and co-founded OELO in 2010.
Rébecca Djanivenda
Environmental Education Program Cooordinator
Meet Rébecca
Rébecca holds a diploma in Environmental Quality and Hygiene and she has worked now with OELO in conservation for five years. She coordinates OELO's EE program including developing lesson plans, organizing community events, training teacher mentors, and leading our annual environmental leadership camp at Tsam Tsam.
Elianne Pangou
Environmental Ed Program Assistant
Meet Elianne
Elianne came to OELO with 12 years experience in conservation with the Wildlife Conservation Society, where she led household surveys and administrative work. Elianne has been our EE program assistant for three years where she leads EE activities in primary schools as well as working with our 25+ nature clubs with hundreds of participants on stewardship projects and outreach.
Maeva Rengouwa
Sustainable Fishing Program Coordinator
Meet Maeva
Maeva received a Master's degree in Environmental Law from the African University of Sciences in Libreville. Maeva has been with OELO since 2017 and she coordinates our Sustainable Fishing Program. Additionally, Maeva works closely with our community cooperatives that are promoting sustainable alternatives to overfishing and illegal bushmeat, leading outreach around the community.
Hermine Angomzoghe
Guesthouse Caretaker
Meet Hermine
Hermine has been with OELO since we were founded. Hermine is our guesthouse caretaker and graciously hosts our partners and guests.
Jimmy Franck Nzomba
Community Outreach Assistant
Meet Jimmy
Jimmy holds a Master's degree in Biology of Populations and Ecosystems from the University of Sciences and Techniques in Masuku (Franceville, Gabon). He also completed internships at the National Herbarium and the Institute for Research and Ecology before coming to OELO in 2019. He has worked in our EE program and now leads community outreach on protected species and environmental stewardship projects with our nature clubs.
