News & Updates
Wijk bij Duurstede (NL), Newsletter April 2011
Dear readers,
The trip from Kenia to Zimbabwe was a great adventure and all went well.
After crossing Kenia, Tanzania, Malawi, Mozambique and finally Zimbabwe, I
now understand the passion and preference of Martin for Zimbabwe.
Compared to the other mentioned countries it is an even more beautiful
place in terms of nature, diversity of the green environment, space and
quietness. In the other countries we could not drive for 250 metres without
seeing human beings, whilst in Zimbabwe I immediately noticed the less
dense population, the friendliness and hospitality of the people.
First we went to the Vumba (eastern side of Zimbabwe) to visit the
anti-poaching team Martin has trained in November 2010. The team is very
successful and really appreciated our visit and took the opportunity to talk to
him and asking questions.
I had seen pictures and heard stories about this area but it was far more
mountain like and rougher than I expected. If people told me I was in the
Scottish Highlands, I would have believed it. Because the area is high up in
the mountains it was a lot colder then lower down the slopes of the
mountains. During our visit it was very cold, wet and misty. Although this felt
very ‘un African’ I have very much enjoyed this wonderful and fairy-tail like
area.
After this we went to Harare were we met up with Charlene Hewat
(Environment Africa) and Lisa Hywood (Tikki Hywood Trust).
Both fantastic women and extremely active and dedicated in wildlife and
nature conservation in Zimbabwe. Harare itself was a relief after the other
busy and chaotic cities I have visited in the other African countries.
In Harare, we also visited Dr. Willie Nduku of Wildlife and Environment
Zimbabwe (WEZ) and discussed the application of extending Martins work
permit. As our project is under WEZ we always keep in touch with this ‘base’.
In the meantime Martin has returned to Holland again (the ALL4AP team in
Hwange is still operating under supervision of the Lion project and on this
short notice it was not possible to organise additional trainings before the
expiration date of the work permit). Therefore he has a ‘holiday’ now until
July to do necessary maintenance on his house (which he rents out) and
taking care of other important private issues in Holland.
In the meantime he will be busy with fundraising and the regular meeting
with the ALL4AP board. One of the items on the agenda will be organising the
‘Open garden days’ on June 25th and 26th 2011 in Langbroek.
A friend of ours and his wife own a wonderful and exclusive garden and
expose this garden during this weekend for visitors. They have offered to
donate the revenue to ALL4AP which is wonderful! Of course we (the board of
ALL4AP) will be present these days and friends and family have already
offered to assist with selling coffee/tea/cake and drinks. We will do our
utmost to make this a wonderful event, as well for the owners of the garden,
the visitors and ALL4AP.
Please keep your fingers crossed for sunny weather. Beginning of June we
will inform you about further details.
With this, my ALL4AP-Africa adventure has finished. I am sorry that Kenia
did not work out the way we planned but it is good that we have tried. It sure
has brought us more wisdom and experience.
I would like to inform you that all the costs I have made (flights, stay and
everything else) were on my own, private, account. My bank account has
decreased dramatically but my life-experience and view on the world have
increased tremendously and that is of much more value for me!
I would like to thank Martin for the opportunity to learn more about ALL4AP
and Africa from the closest way as possible. Following him this close I have
even more admiration for his perseverance, patience and capacities and
want to thank him for his taking care of me, his professional help and his
safe guiding.
In June we will send you more information about the ‘Open Garden days’ and
in July you will receive our next newsletter again from Martin.
We wish you a wonderful summer and hope to meet you on June 25th or
26th in Langbroek.
With kind regards,
Ilma Hoff and ALL4AP team
