Sandra's Sanaga-Yong Updates!
Donation protected
I AM FULLY FUNDED, THANK YOU TO ALL WHO CONTRIBUTED!
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I have been invited to volunteer at Sanaga-Yong Chimpanzee Rescue Center (SYCRC) in Cameroon, Africa for six months starting January 2016! SYCRC is a sanctuary for orphaned chimpanzees victimized by deforestation and the pet & bushmeat trade. SYCRC also engages in public education campaigns to save wild populations of great apes in Cameroon. SYCRC is located in the heart of central Cameroon's remote rainforest, nestled around several local villages and 15 miles away from the town of Belabo.
This opportunity comes at a time of transition for me as I finish up my master's degree in primate behavior and enter the professional world. The experience I will gain during my time in Cameroon will prepare me for a career in great ape advocacy and will connect me with like-minded individuals who dedicate their lives to the plight of chimpanzees.
If you have known me since childhood, you might remember my obsession with the Nickelodeon's animated show "The Wild Thornberries." I was fascinated by the show's main character Eliza Thornberry, who travelled the world with her wildlife-documentary filmmaker parents and could magically communicate with animals. My wide-eyed fascination with interspecies communication became a focused reality over the years and inspired me to leave the NYC art world to pursue graduate school at Central Washington University (CWU) for primatology, whose program is renowned for once being home to Washoe, the first nonhuman to acquire a human language (American Sign Language). I've volunteered at Chimpanzee Sanctuary Northwest (CSNW) since moving to Washington in June 2013 and became a volunteer chimpanzee caregiver in November 2014 after several months of intensive training. My time at CSNW has equipped me with professional caregiving skills in a sanctuary setting and motivates me to be a conscientious, aware, and issue active individual. My path has now led me to this wonderful opportunity in Africa & I need your help to make it happen!
Planning is underway and I hope to fund my trip with help from fellow dreamers, animal advocates, and adventure enthusiasts! Funds will be used towards airfare ($1,855 round trip), a one-time volunteer fee ($300), six month travel visa ($244), immunizations (~$300), traveler's insurance ($250), & supplies ($350).
Any dollar amount is welcome and appreciated.
With sincerest gratitude,
Sandra Casti
REWARD LEVELS:
If you donate...
$15 = Email newsletter updates while I'm in Cameroon (frequency depends on how often I have access to internet!)
$25 = Postcard sent to you from Cameroon!
$50 = Handmade card sent to you from Cameroon PLUS a dozen vegan chocolate "chimp" cookies sent to you shortly after your donation.
$100 = A 6x6" painting inspired by Cameroonian textile prints!
$200 = An 8x10" custom pet portrait!
$300 = 12x14" custom painting of your choice!
*****Whatever paintings are not completed before I leave for Cameroon will be completed upon my return in the summer of 2016!*****
***********************************************************
I have been invited to volunteer at Sanaga-Yong Chimpanzee Rescue Center (SYCRC) in Cameroon, Africa for six months starting January 2016! SYCRC is a sanctuary for orphaned chimpanzees victimized by deforestation and the pet & bushmeat trade. SYCRC also engages in public education campaigns to save wild populations of great apes in Cameroon. SYCRC is located in the heart of central Cameroon's remote rainforest, nestled around several local villages and 15 miles away from the town of Belabo.
This opportunity comes at a time of transition for me as I finish up my master's degree in primate behavior and enter the professional world. The experience I will gain during my time in Cameroon will prepare me for a career in great ape advocacy and will connect me with like-minded individuals who dedicate their lives to the plight of chimpanzees.
If you have known me since childhood, you might remember my obsession with the Nickelodeon's animated show "The Wild Thornberries." I was fascinated by the show's main character Eliza Thornberry, who travelled the world with her wildlife-documentary filmmaker parents and could magically communicate with animals. My wide-eyed fascination with interspecies communication became a focused reality over the years and inspired me to leave the NYC art world to pursue graduate school at Central Washington University (CWU) for primatology, whose program is renowned for once being home to Washoe, the first nonhuman to acquire a human language (American Sign Language). I've volunteered at Chimpanzee Sanctuary Northwest (CSNW) since moving to Washington in June 2013 and became a volunteer chimpanzee caregiver in November 2014 after several months of intensive training. My time at CSNW has equipped me with professional caregiving skills in a sanctuary setting and motivates me to be a conscientious, aware, and issue active individual. My path has now led me to this wonderful opportunity in Africa & I need your help to make it happen!
Planning is underway and I hope to fund my trip with help from fellow dreamers, animal advocates, and adventure enthusiasts! Funds will be used towards airfare ($1,855 round trip), a one-time volunteer fee ($300), six month travel visa ($244), immunizations (~$300), traveler's insurance ($250), & supplies ($350).
Any dollar amount is welcome and appreciated.
With sincerest gratitude,
Sandra Casti
REWARD LEVELS:
If you donate...
$15 = Email newsletter updates while I'm in Cameroon (frequency depends on how often I have access to internet!)
$25 = Postcard sent to you from Cameroon!
$50 = Handmade card sent to you from Cameroon PLUS a dozen vegan chocolate "chimp" cookies sent to you shortly after your donation.
$100 = A 6x6" painting inspired by Cameroonian textile prints!
$200 = An 8x10" custom pet portrait!
$300 = 12x14" custom painting of your choice!
*****Whatever paintings are not completed before I leave for Cameroon will be completed upon my return in the summer of 2016!*****
Organizer
Sandra Casti
Organizer
Ellensburg, WA
