The Gladi-Gladi Trust (UK Charity No 1179219) is run by five Trustees; four of whom live in Bristol. It exists to bring new livelihoods and a better future for the people of Tasso Island while protecting the environment of the Sierra Leone River Estuary, which is an international conservation area or RAMSAR site
For over 150 years Tasso Island was a Slave Plantation controlled by various British interests, including the Royal Africa Company (RAC). Edward Colston of Bristol was a member of the RAC from 1680 to 1692 and he became the deputy Governor (effectively CEO) in 1689. Tasso Island was used to provide food and water for the slaves held in the British Fortress on neighbouring Bunce Island, but it also served as a forced labour camp.
Since 2016 we have helped our Founder, Peter Nelson, to set up the Tasso Ecotourism Project, and coordinate funding to the Island through its own Community Trust. It has helped to build three schools, a medical centre, rainwater harvesting systems and other sustainable development projects.
