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I
don’t think any of us ever expected such an
unbelievable year! 2006 has been full of
exceptional highlights, starting with Jane
Goodall’s visit for the opening of South
Africa’s first chimpanzee sanctuary, The Jane
Goodall Institute Chimpanzee Eden, and
culminating in the arrival of five more refugee
chimpanzees from Angola last month, bringing the
total number of rescued chimps to 12!
The entire team has worked exceptionally hard to
achieve this, and I would like to express
particular gratitude to Eugene Cussons, MD of
Chimpanzee Eden, and Phillip Cronje, Sanctuary
Manager. These two are an unbelievable
combination. without whom we could never have
grown from nought to twelve chimps in a mere
nine months. We are already working on several
more chimp rescues for 2007 – but more about
them next year.
I am also very excited about three other major
Roots and Shoots projects we have lined up for
2007. Our community food gardens project will
kick off in Mpumalanga early in the new year.
Volunteer Matthew McClure will live in one of
the communities to supervise and help with the
gardens for a year, after which the project
should be self-sustaining.
We are also teaming up with Jonathan Haw for an
Owl Project. Jonathan started the Sebokeng Owl
project, and our partnership will ensure the
success of this project and implement it in
other areas. The objectives of are many, and
include teaching children about wildlife and
taking responsibility.
Finally, I am very excited about our feeding
scheme in Mpumalanga. In partnership with John
Cussons of Untamed Africa, we will supplement
schoolchildren’s diets with a nutritious
instant cereal supplement.
Of course, we are looking for sponsors for each
of these projects, and would urge you to open
your hearts to us so that we can ensure the
success, sustainability and growth of all these
new projects. We are also looking for volunteers
to help with all aspects of our work – from
office work to education to fundraising. Please
email me at susan@janegoodall.co.za if there is
any way in which you can help.
We will be moving in early January to our
wonderful new office in the Johannesburg Zoo.
It remains for me to wish you all a safe, happy
and peaceful festive season and to thank you for
your continued interest in our work.
Sue Slotar
Executive director
Jane Goodall Institute South Africa |
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