Archive for January, 2008
Today the wooden benches have been moved into the new building in Mutsora Primary School. A few shots on the outcome. For those who have not been following the story on this project, you can read more about it here. We take this opportunity to thank Roberta from the European Union who made it all happen.
Assembling the benches
Some previous testing on the street by curious children passing by
And voila! Tomorrow the painting begins
Click on the link below and you will see 4 videos featuring Diddy & Innocent, who work to protect the Mountain Gorillas of DR Congo. Videos include: Gorilla Talk, Meet the Gorillas, My Favorite Gorilla & The July Massacre.
I have to say Gorilla Talk is my favorite! Samantha
As part of the rehabilitation project carried out in both Kengele and Mutsora Primary Schools, the provision of benches for every classroom is part of the project. 132 wooden benches, 6 tables and 6 chairs (for the teachers) are being manufactured now by Paida’s industrial carpentry, which belongs to the Catholic Diocese of Butembo and Beni. That will be the stock of 6 classrooms for one of the schools. The others to be ordered once these are finished.
Belgium old machinery from the colonial period
Benches piling up
I know that title doesn’t sound good, but this week we have had a serious storm in Mutsora with very strong winds. Which ended up in a big tall tree falling on top of one of our tents.
Luckily nobody was in there, and no one got hurt.
We are currently rehabilitating two primary schools in Mutsora, a project that will be finished by the end of this month. The Congregation of the Little Sisters of the Presentation that owns the land and runs both schools are the same ones responsible for this little orphanage, where they take care of 13 homeless children, and has been running since 1948.
Sister Rosalie downloading one of the boxes from the car
I have been very lucky to bring many extra kilos with me from Argentina, so I would like to thank the following people for the donated toys, shoes and clothes: Alejandra P. Cinthia E. Poty S. Agustina and Millie R. Orlando and Facundo E. And many thanks to Lucien A. from Tam, who has allowed me to board the plane with 90 extra kilos!
Brigitta, one of our most active supporters and commentors from Switzerland, had a birthday in December. And instead of getting presents her friends and family made donations totaling $800, that went toward Gorilla Protection. Thanks Brigitta - to you and your friends and family. Brigitta also sent fantastic photos of the Mapuwa family, who she visited in July 2007. This gorilla family was last seen mid-September, amid all the fighting.
Brigitta & her birthday party.
Brigitta & other half!
Mapuwa family before the fighting broke out again.
Visiting gorillas.
Showing vulnerability.
Hanging out. Samantha
Thank you Ty for your $1,000 donation toward the gorillas - you are officially our youngest donor to date!
This story by Todd Pitman for Associated Press came out yesterday. Click on the link:
Thank you Linda & her team at Gearing Up 4 Gorillas - www.g4g.co.uk - for all their support and dedication to the Rangers who work to protect Virunga National Park and the Mountain Gorillas.
G4G, based in the UK, has supported the Rangers for almost 2 years, channeling much of their financial support through WildlifeDirect and Frankfurt Zoological Society. G4G has been a persistent voice of encouragement from the beginning, and continues to provide emergency back up in desperate times. Fundraising efforts are varied and often simply mad - from jumping out of airplanes, to shaving off one’s hair - but all the money goes in its entirety to the Rangers.
Thank you from the Rangers & WildlifeDirect.
If you want to read more about G4G click on the link below:
It has been a good surprise to see the buildings almost ready. The rehabilitation of Kengele and Mutsora Primary School are not a dream any more, but the result of progress, hope and hard work.
The old and the new buildings, standing side by side.
Mutsora Primary School
Kengele Primary School As scheduled, Safari (on the right) from Soderu is confident that both buildings will be ready by the 25th of January.
No more learning in classrooms like this, with no walls, as from next month……
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