During the Advance Force’s training with Major M’Poka, we spent the last week of the 3 months session going out on patrol in Ishango, practicing the learned techniques.
And doing data collection for ICCN flora and fauna records:
During the Congolese liberation war in 1997, unfortunately many hippos were killed. You can still find the bones dispersed all around Mahiya area.
To all my supporters, readers and commentators, a big thank you for all your contributions. Below is the list of January’s donations: Theresa S. $50.00 (for supplies) Wanda H. $20.00 (monthly donation) Angel S. $50.00 monthly donation) Pirjo I. $50.00 (monthly donation)
This is a women’s job. And they need a permit to do so.
Woman showing her permit to collect wood During one patrol day in Ishango, we found a group of women collecting dead wood from the forest.
They were very deep inside, 10 km into the forest, and this can be dangerous, for there is a lot of wildlife and something can happen to them. They had no permit, we had to confiscate their load and machetes.
All the Advance Force is now back in Mutsora. The three months training session with Major M’Poka has officially ended, and we are awaiting for instructions/results. Director Norbert Mushenzi is today in the station together with the Technical Administrator of ICCN Mr. Kisuki and Major M’Poka discussing the outcome.
Dir. Norbert Mushenzi on the left, and Mr. Kisuki in the middle I wanted to share with you some pictures taken in Ishango these last days. You can follow up the stories about this beautiful place in Atamato’s blog.
The active volcano Nyragongo on the far right, the valley where Goma is situated, and Mikeno beside it
Joseph, Atamato’s brother training to become part of the Advance Force
The Advance Force’s wives have started today their weekly meeting of the month.
Not everybody could make it, but it seems like a promising start. They have decided to gather together to discuss several issues. A monthly payment of $1 each has been agreed today, and will be saved and used for medical purposes concerning the women and their children.
My wife Beatriz and my son Victor, on their way to their first meeting
Marcika Muangui, secretary adviser on the left, and my wife Beatriz, president of this committee
Another patrol day out with my troop while on training session with Mayor M’Poka, down the Semliki river.
This time we were lucky to get catch the poachers, very close to Lake Edward. We confiscated their nets (used for catfish and tilapia), we burnt their boats and spoke with the poachers to increase their awareness regarding the environment and the park after they paid the fine. This is a very important part of what we do - teaching people how to value their surroundings.
Following our training session with Mayor M’Poka in Ishango, we were out on patrol for a day down Semliki river, up to Museya - a 7 km distance approximately. My troop and Rebecca (the only woman to apply for the Advance Force) were on the pirogue ready for patrol.
On our way, we counted 56 hippos!
And found 3 metal nets in Museya river, used to catch tilapia and catfish. Unfortunately poachers were not there.
Big thanks to my supporters, as usual I am very grateful for your donations (2nd half of December): Lennart J. $8,65 Simon H. $30 Polly W. $20
My Rangers of the Advance Force and myself celebrated Christmas Day in Ishango, away from our families, because we are under training session with Mayor M’Poka.
We had a big meal, cooked a goat, and had a beer each!
Some words from M’Poka while waiting to be served.
That same 25th of December, MONUC officials from India came down to visit us.
Dear Supporters, a quick update on the Advance Force’s position. We are all here in Ishango continuing with the training with Mayor M’Poka.
The tents where we sleep
Getting the field ready for work
Maybe you have read in the Gorilla Blog that I was yesterday in Mutsora helping MGVP to gather the food for the orphans.
But I will be back in Ishango today to continue with the practice.
Views of Ishango and the sunset in Semliki River
Major M’Poka getting our shooting training session ready
Since I last posted about donations at the end of November I have received the following: Pirjo $50, Richard $50, Wanda $20 and Angela $50.
Thank you very very much. Thank you also to Happy Hollow Zoo and Vanessa who continue to support me and my Rangers. They collected lots of electronic waste recently and raised money for us! That is just amazing to me!
It has been an incredible year for us. Your words of support, your interest and your inspiring generosity has taught us a great deal.
Me & some of my Rangers in the Advance Force
See you in 2008!
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