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Published: August 14th 2009
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VMF
All images from previous volunteers! As many of you know...or are about to know I am taking off to South Africa for 6 months as a start to my epic life of travel. After deciding I was not ready to settle into my academic life and future I have decided that I am going to take some time off from life to travel.
I am going to Tzaneen, South Africa to volunteer at the Vervet Monkey Foundation starting October 5th (MY 21st birthday!!! Yeah) I cannot imagine a better way to start this portion of my life. A little about the VMF....
The Vervet Monkey Foundation was Founded in 1993 to provide protection to orphaned and injured primates, the vervet monkey. The Sanctuary operates the largest nonprofit sanctuary for monkeys in South Africa. The sanctuary receives approximately 40-60 babies and 30-60 juveniles/adults every year and currently looks after over 500 vervet monkeys. Due to the misconception that they destroy fruit crops, vervet monkeys are often killed by farmers. In fact, the farming community is responsible for a major portion (73%) of the many orphaned vervet monkey babies that are found in the wild. The vervet monkey is currently listed as a vulnerable species on
Appendix Two of CITES (Convention for International Trade in Endangered Species). Apart from caring for the monkeys, the Vervet Monkey Sanctuary also runs numerous outreach programs, educating farmers, land owners and settlements and giving talks at schools, clubs, organizations, and conservancies. A registered non-profit organization, the Vervet Monkey Sanctuary receives no government or major corporate support, and is reliant on the generosity of concerned individuals and animal welfare groups to continue their work. Pictures, more information, and a monthly newsletter can be found at the website www.enviro.co.za/.
Anyways! Just to maybe give you a small idea of the massive project...My head is spinning in the responsibility of getting prepared for my trip. I just got my visa (a headache in itself) for my 6 month stay. You have to apply for a visa for anything over three months and it includes everything from medical clearance to chest x-rays to copies of my bank statements to prove my financial means and my return airline ticket. So besides trying to figure out how to fit 6 months of my life into ONE suitcase; I am busy trying to tan so I don't burn to bits, getting all the clothing I am
going to want over there, figuring out what malaria pills I am going to take, and how to comfort and convince my mom that I WILL come back in one peice.
For all of you that have supported me in this trip I want to say a BIG THANK YOU!!! I am so lucky that I get to have this experience and that I will truly be engrossed in this culture and doing what I truly love. You all have made this quarky idea and dream a reality. My parents have been more supportive and helpful then I could have ever asked for. I will keep all of you updated as much as possible with tons of pictures and blogs about my new experiences at the VMF.
~~~To many happy travels!
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Melissa
non-member comment
I'm Volunteering Too
Hi, Jennifer. I'll be seeing you soon - I start volunteering at VMF on Nov 7th. I'm from Portland, Oregon, so we're practically neighbors in this situation! (I've even been to Billings, Montana, many years ago.) I'm having a heck of a time planning/packing for one month, so I can't imagine how you're doing it for six months! Feel free to email me if you like. Best to you. Melissa