The program is in Cameroon, Africa, near a town called Belabo. You will actually be in the forest about 15 miles out from Belabo. You would be working with the Sanaga-Yong Chimpanzee Rescue Center.
I would not suggest this program if you are not comfortable being away from home for very long periods of time because there is a 6 month minimum stay. This may sound like a long time to leave your life behind, but I think it really depends on where you are in life right now.
"When you are graduating in a few months and have absolutely no idea what your going to do,travel is the best option," said 23-year-old Victoria Yarnish . "I think you should sell your car and buy a plane ticket to South America and work your way over to Africa," Yarnish explained to me. Honestly that does sound appealing if you are on the verge of graduating and life is at a crazy turning point. Sadly Victoria, nor I, can save the Chimpanzees in Africa because we have absolutely no French skills, but I do know someone else who is interested.
"I spent a semester in France and I like to think of myself as fluent," said 21-year-old Kateland Butler. Butler graduated from University of Arizona last May with a degree in French. " I always wanted to visit Africa, but I don't really no how I would be with Chimpanzees, I have never really been near one," said Butler of the program opportunity.
No need to worry if you are considering this volunteer opportunity but you might not be completely engulfed by the world of primates. In the program you will have a bit of contact with the chimps and maybe some baby gorillas, but mostly you will be helping the staff with construction projects, purchasing supplies, or painting, but you will get to help out with feeding the chimps. The program is looking for people who are open to soaking up a new cultures and working with new people.
This program was put together by the In Defense of Animals -Africa organization. At IDA, their mission is to save these chimpanzees or our "next of kin" as they refer to them, from the bushmeat trade. These primates are orphaned after their parents are killed for meat. The IDA brings them into a safe environment that is maintained to match the natural environment they would otherwise be living in with their parents.
Check out more details about this opportunity at http://www.universalgiving.org/volunteer/chimpanzee_sanctuary_in_camero/id1939.do#expenseDescription
Also if you want to know exactly where this would be taking place, because I don't know about you but I don't really know Africa like the back of my hand, check out this map at http://images.nationmaster.com/images/motw/africa/cameroon_pol98.jpg
If this program is too intense for what you are looking for. maybe because of the length, the French, the shots you will have to get, or whatever you are concerned about for your time abroad, but you are still interested about helping out the primates in Africa who are in danger of extinction, you can donate money to sponsor a chimp at https://www.universalgiving.org/donate.do?receiverId=1853&targetPage=/volunteer/in_defense_of_animalsafrica/id1853.do?id=1853&fresh=true
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