I would like to announce the first baby born this year mid July to one of our resident bandits who I call Skinny Minnie, (others may know her as Blossom). A very proud Mum indeed. Of course being the only mum, Skinny is having a hard time from other females and even juniors trying to be part of the action and have a cuddle or two! A baby born this time of year is unusual as baby season runs from Nov to Feb approx but we have also had some rain in this dry season. Looks like global warming is starting!

Remember we said that we were going to put a special monkey in The James enclosure - well we have - Regus (the first monkey) along with his female companion - Mijo who are both enjoying life to the full in the trees.

There have been a few changes here in the last month, we sadly say goodbye to Deb (Volunteer Supervisor and friend) as she returns home to Canada. Deb has been a great asset to the foundation the past few months and will be surely missed. I would like to thank Deb for all her efforts in making the volunteers feel at home, help educate them and spread the word about vervet monkeys. Deb went above and beyond our expectations by ensuring the needs of the volunteers were met with a professional, conscientious and organised attitude which is especially important when dealing with people from all over the world and for getting the message across about the Vervet Monkeys. Our volunteers really do make a difference and we thank you all.

The role Deb played is incredibly important as without someone dedicated to looking after our volunteers, the VMF wouldn't have been able to achieve half of what it has today and certainly wouldn't have been able to raise the amount of funds for recent accomplishments such as ' The James enclosure' and our new microscope in sickbay.

Another change is regarding myself - due to chronic illness and having no choice but to concentrate full time on my health, I have had to change my position to 'Bookings Administrator' which involves liaising with our volunteer organisations and seeing to the needs of the volunteers prior to their arrival, along with booking bus tickets and attending to dinner. This will probably also be my last newsletter as editor for the time being.

"I am only one, but I am one.  I cannot do everything, but I can do something.  And I will not let what I cannot do interfere with what I can do."

We welcome Debbie and Steve Greensmith from the UK as our new Volunteer Co-ordinator team under the training and management of Arthur. They will look after the volunteers here once they arrive. We wish them luck with everything. More to come about them in the next newsletter.

And lastly....Volunteers will be pleased to know that the eco-toilet at the cottage is finally finished thanks to the workers, Ryan, Steve and all the volunteers who helped!

Well, winter is underway and the number of volunteers has been growing.  We’ve got a great group here right now.  They’re all very dedicated to working hard, and play hard as well.  The firebreaks have been going along very nicely and are up the back of the Foundation property and keep on moving!!!  Evenings are filled with card games, group crossword puzzles, and bonfires as friendships form and strengthen. 

A group of four recently survived the Big Swing and enjoyed the potholes, waterfalls, and amazing views on the Graskop / Big Swing trip!  The video astounded those of us who didn’t go, and sent thrills of nostalgia those who survived!  The Riverboat Safari also seems to be very popular, and a few groups have come back raving about the hippos, crocodiles they’ve seen, as well as elephants, giraffes, and buffalo on the way in!  The sunset is apparently amazing, and the wildlife plentiful.

Kruger is, of course, still very popular and the groups always come back with millions of amazing photos and stories of elephants approaching the tents at night! 

On Sunday the 8th, we celebrated Jackie’s birthday with a trip to the Pekoe View Tea Gardens and the Debengeni Waterfalls.  At the Tea Gardens, a tall giant (Keith) poured tea all over a little tea mouse (Deb), and Ashley amazed us all with the mass quantities of food she put away - !  That girl can eat!  The three boys, Keith, Sean, and Tim, poised for GQ magazine at the waterfalls.   The adventurous group climbed over close to the main falls for photos, and were covered in ants!  Alex W, Alison and Deb watched as the brave went sliding down the smaller portion of the waterfall!  Jackie ended up covered in small little letters – this must have been some birthday luck, since Tim, Sean, Jamie and Ashley all came out of the falls with little scorpion-looking water bugs on them!   We watched as some crazy drunk locals showed off for a group of Peace Corp volunteers by sliding … well, okay – bouncing down… the huge waterfall!  Ouch, that’s gotta hurt!  Overall, it was a great day and Jackie had a very happy birthday away from home!

Deb's Mum Cindy also visited last month and was lucky enough to be able to spend time with the babies.

Welcome to:
Alison Geeves, Victoria Massey, Mark Mrzyglocki, Ellen Williams, Katerina Vaisman, Mette Horsleben, Maf Dabbech, Erin Johnston, Natalie Caillault, Ian Laycock, Anna Buchanan, Marie Allsop, Sally Wade, Rosemarie Abbot, Juliet Dillard, Laura McHugh.

Welcome back:
Alison Dew, Steve Buss, Hellen Bersacola

This month, I thought it would be fun to involve previous volunteers so I sent round a message to all those on our facebook group to come up with a sentence to complete 'You know you've volunteered at the VMF when.........' We've had so many responses and by far the most popular one is the first one! Thank you all for your participation, it's made me chuckle anyway!

...you start raising your eyebrows at people when you get angry! Katherine Harrington, London, 2005

...you wake up at 5 in the morning to hear Indy in the baby cage shouting in a high pitched voice - 'Hi Babies!'
...you get excited about schnitzels! – Gill Smyth, Ireland, 2006

...you still carry a large stick with you at all times, even if your UK office manager feels it is inappropriate”
...you decide to camp in the garden rather then use your bed'
...your other half catches you using a hole in your garden to do your “business””
...your idea of “socialising” is centred round a game of UNO” – Dean Smith, UK, 2008

....you get home and miss having a monkey clinging to your head
...you go on safari in other parts of africa and want to go play with the baby vervets – Amanda Bond, UK, 2008

... the reason you need new shoes is a vervet peed into your old pair while your feet were in them.
...staying in a tent is no longer "camping" but simply living. - Deana Steere, US 2008

...when you hate to leave and have left part of your heart behind with one certain monkey and can't stop thinking about them – Jan Box, UK, 2007

... you turn the water off between washing and rinsing.,... at the lodge! - Deb Simpson, Canada, 2008

...you end up laughing like a monkey instead of like a person". - Tracey Grey, UK, 2007

... you've spent an hour cleaning the dogs of ticks, only for them to go roll in the dirt again!
...the idea of being urinated on by an animal doesn't disturb you anymore!
... you've experienced one of Katie's currys! Mmmm – Alan Hughes, UK/SA, 2005 & 2007

...your cuts don't heal quickly because you pick the scabs off everyday - Debbie Marshall, UK, 2007

...you don’t realise the smell of monkey poo anymore
...you have chopped a billion bananas....and you don’t mind doing it
...you have uttered the words..."crap, I’m on blanket washing"
...you get home and realise no job is as good as looking after monkeys!
...you have danced to "hairy man" at Maggie’s house
...you have made a million friends who you actually want to keep in touch with!
...you have piled into the back of a bakkie with about 20 other folk and still have the scars! - Jodie Carruthers, UK, 2007

...you raise your eyebrows and make monkey noises at people who annoy you"! – Lauren Cox, UK, 2006

...someone irritates you, you resolve it by giving eyebrows!!' – Karen Dodd, UK, 2006 & 2007

...you have perfected the vervet gargle and frequently use it to one another instead of words!' – Angelina Navarro Montes, UK, 2005

...you arrive back home and don't realise you smell, until told!!
...you groom your human friends. Emily Jones, UK, 2006 & 2007

...you develop a special bond with 1 particular monkey, and think of them 3 or 4 years on, and hope they're ok, 'cos they made you feel so good about yourself.' I'm referring of course to my girl 'Amber'. Yvonne O Rourke, 2006, US

...you start eyebrowing the people you are mad at :)
...you start talking to other animals (dogs) in a monkey voice. Lindsey McKinney, UK, 2007

...you start glaring at people as a silent insult, maybe with an oval shaped mouth. Tov Nordbo, Norway, 2006

... you feel really comfortable walking round in clothes covered in poo.
...your entire wardrobe is bought from 'Mr Price'
...you talk more about monkeys you know than people you know. - Mary Edmonton, UK, 2006

...you start raising your eyebrows and "o-shaping" your mouth when wanting to look angry.
...you start to realize that fire-breaking doesn't involve you, a camp fire and a nice break from work - Vanessa & Daniele Pape

...you start thinking cats are monkeys. And when you avoid eye contact with your pets back home. - Gail Bance, UK, 2007

.....you lower the toilet seat instead of flushing!! – Jodie Antcliff, UK, 2004

... you constantly look over your shoulder in the shower, convinced a monkey is watching....
...you flinch if anyone says "invasive plant species"
... you cut your hair specifically to make it harder for monkeys to grab!
... Jackson has called you "darling" or offered you a drink at least 5 times Virginia Brooks, US, 2007

...you start giving 'the eyebrows' during heated conversations. Emily Black, 2006, US

...you feel uneasy when you're about to pass something to somebody
...you make monkey play sounds when wrestling with your dogs – Aoife Healy, Ireland, 2006 & 2007

...you have a shower and have to queue but don't mind sitting at tent village with pee and poo all over you finding out who got bit, where and comparing scars.
...you volunteered at VMF when you look forward to pizza night. - Donna Clements, UK, 2006 & 2007

...you're cool with being pooped on! And… ...people who haven’t, keep asking why you're making pigeon noises - Abigail Yuen, 2006, UK

... you know what it feels like to have a monkeys tongue up your nose! Isabel Rennie, UK, 2006

...moving items away from windows in case monkeys take them becomes normal!
...cooking for less than 20 people seems a waste of time!
...other people walk in the house and ask ‘is that thunder’ and you reply no just monkeys playing on the roof – Josie

I'm in London at the moment sorting out my three year visa (don't ask!). I find being away from my beloved Sanctuary very difficult, but console myself with the belief that, 'every cloud .....' And lo! and behold!
'silver linings' are certainly making an appearance!

Over three decades ago, I appeared in a science fiction series on BBC television, called 'Blakes 7'. It disappeared from our screens in 1981, has now been bought by 'Skye' tv, who intend to remake the show, with new cast, new writers and a great deal of money thrown at it. (Unlike the original...)

None of this should have affected me personally, but so great has been the interest since news of the re-make hit the press, that I found myself the recipient of numerous emails from both national and Sunday publications, asking for my comments and/or an interview. I accepted an interview with the 'Mail on Sunday', spent three hours with a journalist who asked me at the end of the interview if I would consider keeping it as an 'exclusive' if the paper made a contribution to the Sanctuary? 'You bet I would!' was my spontaneous if rather inelegant reply. They offered a £1,000.00, I said, 'why not five?' and they said, 'because only Brad Pitt gets that kind of money.' So having been put firmly in my place in the thespian hierarchy, I humbly accepted their offer and thanked my lucky stars.

I also did an interview with the 'Daily Mail' who will put our website address at the end of the article, thus enabling those who wish to make a contribution to do so. But I've also decided that in future I shall ask anyone who wants to interview me to make a contribution to the Sanctuary up front.

I should add, that neither of the articles have, as yet, appeared.....

Deb wrote the article below about one of her favourite monkeys, previous to her leaving.

My job allows for little monkey time, so when I get it, I suck it up, big time!  I love their sensitivity and sweetness.  Most of my monkey time is spent in the Goliath enclosure.  Vicky graciously offered to introduce me to an adult monkey up there.  I visit lots of adult monkeys – just from the outside of the cage.  Until that time, I had only been inside cages with baby monkeys. 

Adoonsie is a younger male monkey who was abused as a pet.  He’s also prone to nose bleeds and moods.  He gets very hyperactive at times, and is quite sensitive.  His ‘play’ with other monkeys is often too rough and they don’t appreciate it, so he is slowly being taught by monkeys and humans to play appropriately.  Adoonsie had two roommates about his age, Tigger and Speedling, but they have been integrated into the Goliath Enclosure, which their introduction cage is attached to.  So, he’s lonely now. 

Vicky went into his cage, and sat down – he immediately went for a big cuddle and then started to play – his play involved biting, so Vicky firmly told him that wasn’t appreciated and after a few more bites he calmed down.  After a time, she invited me in, too.  I got into the airlock and shut the door behind me.  I opened the door to the cage, and he bounded in (I really think *he* should be called Tigger as he really does bounce and ‘boing’)…. He immediately went and sat on my shoulder before I’d even gotten into the cage or sat down!  Wow!  I was overwhelmed with emotions – the fortune of being able to interact with such a sweet and welcoming little monkey.  He was so welcoming and excited to have me in there – I’ve spent a lot of time with him outside the cage, but it was just so…. much better inside.  I was completely moved, honoured and felt it was just the best gift ever anybody could have given me.  What an experience.  I had tears in my eyes – he was overjoyed that I was there!  And, I was certainly overjoyed to be there.   We got to meet face to face!  We got to hug! We got to cuddle!  We got to talk to each other (he’s much more talkative than Jet!) and feel each other’s breath!  Vick & I sat and chatted, and she told me how to deal with him if he acts up, and so forth – things to do and not to do (eg: sudden hand movements and so forth).  Then she left us, and we had a good cuddle for about 30 minutes.  He is so sweet.  He has the saddest eyes that I’ve seen, and I hope that my visiting him will sometimes make his eyes happy! 

He had a bit of a spaz when I tried to leave – he pounced on my back and repeatedly bit my head.  I tried to fend him off while talking in a calm voice.  It really did take me about 5 tries to leave afterwards, but I assured him I’d be back, and he was very accommodating after the 5th time! 

I go to see Adoonsie as often as I can!  He’s always happy to see me, and we hang out for as long as I can.  It’s always a bit difficult to leave, but my talk to assure him I’ll be back often helps it out.

The great news is, he’s been integrated into the troop recently and is doing extremely well.  He goes out almost every afternoon and is slowly being accepted by the loving Goliath monkeys and is learning lots about joining a troop.

Vicky says the ‘gift’ was for Adoonsie to have company, but it was certainly a gift that I cherish every day, and moved me beyond words.

Donations this month:
Kathleen & Lee Healy - 250 Euros

Tiffany Myers (previous volunteer) and her company have raised an astounding R7700 - more to come in next newsletter how she did it.

Volunteer Quotes of the month:
"Volunteers don't get paid, not because they're worthless, but because they're priceless. "

"Volunteers do not necessarily have the time; they just have the heart." 

A big thank you to all our volunteers past and present who really have made a difference to the lives of monkeys whether it be by fundraising, volunteering, educating or simply caring and yes all those firebreaks everyone has been working hard on, are important and can save many lives.

Goodbye & thank you to:

Keith Ogilvie, Sean Smart, Ashley Kennedy, Alex Robertson, Clare Griffiths, Tim Harper, Jessica Todd, Melissa Dulcey, Cindy Simpson, Jessica Todd, Melissa Dulcey, Yasmin Casado, Shevon Hackett, Julie Kirkley, Alex Wood, Matt Engelhard, Ione Murray, Erin Johnston, Alex Wood, Yasmin Casado, Shevon Hackett, Larissa Widry, Sue Jackson, Elspeth Frudd, Jamie Yarger, Kim Rooney, Dominique St Pierre, Flavian Thelan, Chris Bellant, Erik Per Sullivan.