News & Updates
Wijk bij Duurstede (NL), Newsletter August 2011
Dear readers,
Already august and summer in Holland. A wet one as almost usual, unlike the
weather we are used to in Africa.
What has happened in the past time? At first we had the open garden
weekend at the end of June. The weekend was saved by the Sunday; On
Saturday heaven opened its flood gates and we had rain the whole day! But
our voluntary staff did not let their heads hang down and on the Sunday it
was hard to keep up with the incoming visitors. This day was sunny and
everybody seemed to be willing to make the best out of their weekend. A
few hundred visitors came to see the beautiful garden and lots of people
where very impressed with the story we had to tell. It ended up in extra tips
on top of the entree fee and we also managed to sell some 'snare art' and
other related items.
Two weeks after this weekend we came together with all the volunteers and
had a lovely barbeque in the beautiful and now quiet garden from Gezinus
and Corry. They all did a terrific job and we would like to thank all of them
once again in this report!
At the same time the ALL4AP team, now under supervision from the Hwange
Lion research project is making small progress in Hwange National Park.
Together with Wilderness Safari's they are trying to get a feet on the ground
in the south east of the Park.
I am writing this just before I will return to Zimbabwe. I will first stay in
Harare to arrange the necessary paperwork, needed to be able to perform
the next job I will be taking on, which will be the one of a trainer/coach and
to a lesser extend the one as manager from a team. We hope this 'paper
period' will not consume too much of my time, so we can get started with the
things we want to do; To train and freshen up minds of motivated rangers
and scouts! We already committed to do one in the Vumba (Eastern
Highlands) again and of course I will return to Hwange for a while to see how
things are on the ground.
Great news from the Vumba: more and more Bush buck and Blue duiker are
seen and even a family of leopard have been seen on a number of
occasions! This is no doubt because the team is keeping the forest clean
from trespassers.
In Holland we discussed the future and we decided that I will be doing this
work in Africa for approximately 50% of the year. The other 50% I will stay
in Europe to support my family. We want to inform you about this, so you will
not be surprised if I am not in Zimbabwe for some time. In the end we
actually aim for the fact to be unnecessary.. but for now there is plenty to
do! In September I will update you again of our work.
Best regards,
Martin
