DOING MY BIT FOR ANIMALS!

Please understand that I needed to go to the zoo to see for myself what it was like to be kept captive in a 3rd world country. I did a brave thing, as I invited two friends and their children to come along. Not knowing what to expect, we arrived unanounced. We are all animal lovers, and some of us were warned, others opted not to go, and I was told that it was not as bad as some other zoo's in neighbouring countries. We had all been to the private sanctuary for the Bonobo's ( Apes), and was told that this zoo was also private. But alas, it is state owned, and as the country is battling with supporting it's own humans, how on earth are they to support a mere subordinate, those from the animal kingdom. I am writing this article on behalf of them, the mere animals, who I fear is not well kept. Some of them are in a condition that is to be expected, they are being fed, but that is all. I generally do not like the idea of a zoo in any country, it is a show for most people along with their families to see an animal they most likely not to come across unless they are in a cage.

There were lots of monkeys, 2 leopards, an owl, a minature squirrel, a python from India, local snakes, African Grey Parrots, 4 crocodiles, and a few baboons, as well as a few horses and a donkey.

My wish after seeing this sorry sight, is that some organisation will come along and donate money for upgrading the standard of this zoo. I do hope that my child along with his two friends, will forget this experience!

An Education in itself!

On Saturday, we were invited on behalf of the company, to the last day of the school year at Immaculate Conception School, situated about 40minutes out of Kinshasa. The school is owned by a generous and vibrant Congelese lady, who out of her own funding bought the available land. The property is huge, and overlooks a beautiful valley. The only problem is that most of the parents cannot afford to pay more than is necessary for the school fees, and therefore as there is not much government funding, they only have limited resources for equipment, toilets, classrooms etc. The teachers are also paid a minimal fee of under $50 a month. I cannot believe that anyone can survive on that small amount of money. Yet, they were happiest that day, when they had their scholars put on a little play for us, showing us their many talents of dance, music and poetry. Even a poem or two in broken English.

The children had the most beautiful smiles, and we were greeted with such grandeur, it made me feel like we were dignatories, yet we are a "normal white family" experiencing Africa for the first time in our lives. As there were no toilets, on our way home, Torden needed to go urgently, and there was hardly a spot on the road to stop at, so Paul desperately talked him through the whole episode. Needless to say, he couldn't hold it in any longer, and cried out aloud " I need to go wee and poo right now" . I must say I felt guilty trying to get a 3 year old to hold it in.