The Republic of Congo
The subject for my portrait for The Republic of Congo is Raphaël de Laage who works in eco-tourism for the Congo Conservation Company promoting his country’s natural and cultural heritage
Geography
The Republic of the Congo, also known as Congo-Brazzaville, the Congo Republic or simply either Congo or the Congo, is a country located on the western coast of Central Africa to the west of the Congo River. It is bordered to the west by Gabon, to its northwest by Cameroon and its northeast by the Central African Republic, to the southeast by the Democratic Republic of the Congo, to its south by the Angolan exclave of Cabinda and to its southwest by the Atlantic Ocean.
Source Wikipedia
Environmental issues
The principle environmental issues in the republic of Congo are deforestation, an expanding industrial landscape and increasing urban population
About my Raphaël
Raphaël de Laage works with communities in eco tourism in the Republic of Congo.
He has been working for CCC for four years starting as assistant manager and now as Senior Camp Manager
CCC is the Congo Conservation Company who operate in remote parts of Central and West Africa providing low impact tourism in a pristine natural environment which allows them to protect the regions from other potentially damaging commercial ventures
Whilst his role has multiple new challenges each day, Raphaël considers the heart of his job is engaging local communities in the conservation program
Click on the link below to see the full painting process in timelapse and to hear more of Raphaël’s story