Archive for June, 2008
Dear All, Last week, I remembered you about the money you sent end of April/early May for the purchase of the welding machine. The bank has called us saying your money finally arrived. But, when Franck went to buy the machine, bad news: no welding machine was left. Here, it’s always like this: once you see something very particular in a shop, you have to buy it at once !! So, JACK has immediately ordered a new one that will come midth /end of July. But, don’t worry, once again, I’ll keep you posted and send you the pictures of the machine.
Also, in addition to your single donations of May, we received your one-time donations of the previous months and wanted to show you what we did with this money.
We had no gate at the entrance of the Refuge Centre. Visitors very often managed to enter the complex, reached too easily the quarantine area putting the isolated chimpanzee babies at risk (quarantine place is close to the main entrance of the Refuge!!!) Therefore, we decided to put a gate to prevent anyone from coming in. BEFORE: NO GATE = NO SECURITY More things have to be done to improve the complex (build extra night facilities, bring electricity as we still have no power, add extra fencing around the complex). Proof of purchase But, today, and mainly thanks to your donations, security has been enforced ; this, again, is a new step in JACK’s everyday life. THANK YOU !!! Roxane
Dear Friends, Winter started a few weeks ago. Yes, here in Central Africa, we have a cold season from May untill end of October. Nights are colder, 5 to 8 degrees Celsius (41-46°Fahrenheit) which is quite chilly as we are used to 24 to 28 degrees Celsius (75-82°Fahrenheit). June and July are the coldest months. As the weather changes, the grass turns color from the green of the rain season to the yellow of the cold and dry season. Of course, cold weather is synonymous with flu. Humans get colds but the chimpanzees of the Refuge also. Therefore, this year, to prevent them to become sick, we have decided to let them stay a bit longer in their night facilities. Stacy told you last week the babies were fed at 7.30 am before letting them go outside. Today, they are still fed at the same time, but they go out around 8.30 when the sun has already started to warm up the outside enclosure. So, once they come out, some climb on the highest branches to get warm … … and others huddle up against one another.
I hope this year all will be fine as , last winter, I remember, most of chimps of the main group had flu in July … Before ending, I want tho thank the following donors. End of May, we have essentially received monthly donations : Anonymous (10), Birgitta S (10), Kevin C (10) and again a monthly donation of Anonymous (30) for June.
Also, I hope I will be able to post an update soon related to the purchase of the welding machine . Remember, on April 28th, in the post about Coco, I asked for your help. JACK wanted to buy a machine that could help improving the night enclosures of the babies. Well, since then, plenty of documents had to be filled in and JACK has been recently told donations are to arrive in Lubumbashi in the coming days… So, Franck and I are crossing our fingers : this machine is very important and we will let you know as soon as we receive additional information.
Roxane
Hi Friends of JACK!
My name is Stacy Best. I am an American ex-pat living in Lubumbashi. I have been volunteering at JACK for approximately 3 months. I am a Registered Nurse but am not currently practicing here in DRC. My daughters came home from school one day and told me about JACK. I contacted Roxane to see if more volunteers were needed. I assist with the morning bottles Monday through Friday and with the evening bottles Tuesday through Friday. There are four of us that feed, two nannies, myself, and another American ex-pat, Kori Howard.
Feeding time early in the morning: it must go very fast as the orphan chimpanzees are not patient
When we first walk into the feeding area at 0730 the chimps are very vocal and anxious for that first bottle of warm milk. It’s a bit overwhelming to the senses! All those arms reaching out and each one of them wants to be first. Chimpanzees are not patient. We initially hand out each of the labeled bottles that contain warm milk and yogurt. When the chimps are finished drinking their milk, they hold out their empty bottles for a refill. Some drink two bottles, some drink three. Some of the chimps, especially Shasa and Jacky, try to steal others’ bottles as well! WANZA Zamba and Wanza drink out of bottles with nipples. ZAMBA The rest of them drink out of plastic baby bottles without nipples. When they are finished with their milk, they just drop their bottles. Sometimes there is still milk in the bottles and they like to watch the milk pour out. I have come out of the morning feed with milk in my hair, on my shoes, and down my back. The morning feeding takes less than 10 minutes. Once feeding is finished, one of the nannies goes out into the enclosure and Kori and I stand on an observation ledge while the chimps are released into the outdoor enclosure. We then observe the chimps for injuries. We can see if one of them is favoring an extremity while playing or walking with a limp. It is easier for me to identify the chimps while they are outside. They all have very distinct personalities and behaviors.
Enjoying the first sunbeams of the day
In the afternoon my daughters, ages 13 and 11, also help with the feedings. They have specific chimps that they feed. One feeds Zamba and one feeds Doguy. After the evening milk, the chimps are given their fruit, vegetables and bread in the nighttime enclosure. It is very interesting to observe their behaviors while eating. For example, Wimbi likes to eat all the bread. He takes as much as he can hold and sits in the corner eating it. Jac, on the other hand, likes to sit in the middle of the food. The last activity of the afternoon feeding is the passing out of blankets. Chita and Seki start whining if the blankets are a little late being handed out.
Chita whines too much if his blankets aren’t ready
My family and I are very proud to be associated with the work that JACK is doing. Not only are we volunteers, but we have adopted Zamba as well. Roxane and Franck work tirelessly to help the chimps and every bit of help they receive is appreciated.
Stacy
Last Saturday, the Belgian school of Lubumbashi organized a Mother’s Day Programme. This particular event usually takes place in the month of May and all the kids of the primary school are on the stage.
This year, and thanks to some kids of the 5th Grade, the Programme was slightly different from the ones of the previous years. Yes, as Mrs. Sandrine and her pupils of the 5th grade have known our NGO since its early beginnings, they decided to do something very unusual during the celebration: they wanted to speak on behalf of JACK . Therefore, small groups of pupils went straight to adults. Their aim wasn’t to get funds only. They mainly wanted to make people aware about the trade of Chimpanzees through Katanga Province and to tell people to stop buying or eating Great Apes. Our young spokesmen clearly explained JACK’s purpose and objectives and some of them even convinced parents to join JACK in its awareness programme.
Adults were very surprised to see such determined youngsters involved in fundraising for the rescued chimpanzees of JACK. Also, during the Programme, JACK had been allowed by the school to sell a few things thus collecting funds in aid of the chimpanzee orphans. Two ladies, Mrs. Chantal and Mrs. Sandrine (both teachers at the Belgian school) actually worked all afternoon for JACK.
This experience was interesting as well for us as for the teachers and the young kids of the 5th grade. They had set themselves a particular mission to accomplish and , although it was their first experience, this has been an excellent and extraordinary achievement! Franck and I are extremely proud of what they all have done: imagine, the sale and the collected funds of the kids have enabled JACK in paying last month’s salaries (7 workers of the Refuge) - isn’t that wonderful ?
Well done the 5th grade! And well done dear teachers! The chimpanzees of the Refuge Centre are grateful to all of you for these great things that you have achieved for them. MERCI BEAUCOUP ! !
Roxane |
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With the Congolese authorities, we are working to end the illegal trade of chimpanzees in eastern DRC. 
