Mona is currently stretched to bursting point and, just as chimpanzees are an endangered species, the centre itself is living on borrowed time. It is built on land gifted by Riudellots town council for a period of 15 years. With its present funding levels, however, the sanctuary can only keep going for about another 18 months.
In addition to her job as head keeper, Cristina Valsera is in charge of communications, co-ordinating visits and fund raising, with the latter currently being her main concern. “The most important work is looking for funding,” she said. It is here that volunteers play another important role, with many continuing to support the centre financially after they leave.
After working at the sanctuary for six months in 2002, Lorraine Docherty set up the charity Mona UK and now raises over €30,000 a year for the centre. “I fell in love with the chimps and the people there and I promised Olga that I would help her raise funds and awareness about the plight of chimps suffering in captivity,” she said.
Talking about the working weekends, Docherty said “[They] are a wonderful way of learning about chimps and how to care for them in captivity as well as the funds going back into the project to help the primates. We have had very positive feedback from everyone who has gone on a working holiday with us and many of the guests continue to support us in fundraising and return visits.”
Following her weekend spent working at Mona, Claire Murray was clearly happy with her experience: “It was amazing. The people are all lovely and made me feel so welcome and at home. I had a truly fantastic time and would not hesitate to do it again. It certainly does inspire you to do some more work for them as all the keepers there—both workers and volunteers—care passionately about the chimps and macaques.”
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For details about taking part in a working weekend at the Mona Foundation, long-term volunteering or simply organising a visit to the sanctuary, see their website: www.fundacionmona.org or e-mail: c.valsera@fundacionmona.org
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