Story
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-justify: inter-ideograph; margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; color: black; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman';"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">This year I will be working with Save the Rhino International to help raise funds and raise awareness for our friends the Rhino.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And boy do they need it!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-justify: inter-ideograph; margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; color: black; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman';"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">I will be trekking for 5 days in the Rhino’s habitat in Northern KwaZulu-Natal in South Africa. </span></span><span style="font-size: 12pt; color: black; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman';"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">It will be a toughie and I won’t have any of the ‘luxuries’ we've become used to.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Very early starts, walking 18-25km daily on rough terrain and sleeping under the stars in a sleeping bag, no tent, no loo, no running water!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m sure all the discomforts and aches and pains will be more than worth it, if we’re helping the rhino.</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-justify: inter-ideograph; margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><strong style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; color: black; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Why am I supporting the Rhino?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></strong><span style="font-size: 12pt; color: black; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-justify: inter-ideograph; margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; color: black; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman';"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Rhinoceros, derived through Latin and from ancient Greek – Rhino (nose), Keras (horn) has been on this planet for more than 50 million years.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As herbivores, they merrily went along their way for ages.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then came the humans some 2 million years ago............and now we have exploited the rhino horn to such a degree that the animal is on the extremely endangered list of animals.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Just last year, the Black Rhino became extinct in Western Africa. In fact, the Rhino is considered THE most endangered species on the planet.</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-justify: inter-ideograph; margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; color: black; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman';"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">At the turn of 19th Century, there were 1 million Rhino - In 1970 there were around 70,000.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Today?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Less than 25,000 and reducing<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>FAST.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Poaching is at an all time high and the violent and brutal treatment of the animal in order to get the horn is just unbelievable.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span> </span></span><span style="font-size: 12pt; color: black; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman';"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Why?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Superstition and ignorance decree that the rhino horn cures illnesses,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>whilst in fact the horn has been scientifically proven to be made of keratin (hence the Keras in its name) so you might as well chew your nails.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Ignorance, greed and stupidity has increased the price of rhino horn to such a degree that it is now valued at higher than gold and cocaine.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Its is all shipped to the East – China, Vietnam etc.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-justify: inter-ideograph; margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; color: black; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman';"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Rhino are an integral part of the ecosystem and like everything in nature, the balance is crucial.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Its lifestyle makes way for other things in nature to grow.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Rhino is a gentle and kind animal, at odds with its dangerous and aggressive reputation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Which brings me to my joke! </span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-justify: inter-ideograph; margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; color: black; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman';"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Whats the difference between an angry rhino and a lawyer? The lawyer charges more!</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-justify: inter-ideograph; margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><strong style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; color: black; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Why am I supporting Save the Rhino International?</span></strong></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-justify: inter-ideograph; margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; color: black; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman';"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">I have got to know the small team who make up the London office and have nothing but admiration for their energy, determination and sheer hard work that makes up an effective team.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m sure the Rhinos are extremely grateful to them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Please read how Save the Rhino International spend the donations received.</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-justify: inter-ideograph; margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; color: black; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman';"><a href="http://www.savetherhino.org/eTargetSRINM/site/536/default.aspx"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">http://www.savetherhino.org/eTargetSRINM/site/536/default.aspx</span></span></a></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-justify: inter-ideograph; margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><strong style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; color: black; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Why should you help the Rhino?</span></strong></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-justify: inter-ideograph; margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; color: black; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman';"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Because I’m asking you to!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-justify: inter-ideograph; margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; color: black; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman';"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Seriously, these animals need all the help they can get and every penny will be well spent and used in an effective and efficient way.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Please read the information on my web page and do feel free to ask me any questions.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If I don’t know, I’ll find out.</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-justify: inter-ideograph; margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; color: black; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman';"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Save the Rhino and you save all the animals and plants that live with Rhinos.</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-justify: inter-ideograph; margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><strong style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; color: black; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">So what do you do now?</span></strong></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-justify: inter-ideograph; margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; color: black; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman';"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Donate!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-justify: inter-ideograph; margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; color: black; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman';"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">And please do spread the word.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Raising awareness is so important.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Its the very least we can do for this amazing animal.</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-justify: inter-ideograph; margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; color: black; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman';"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Please do spend the time to look at the photos and in particular the video. We really need to change what is currently happening and with your help, we can.</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-justify: inter-ideograph; margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; color: black; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman';"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Thank you.</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-justify: inter-ideograph; margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; line-height: normal; text-align: justify; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; color: black; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman';"><a href="http://www.savetherhino.org/eTargetSRINM/site/1/default.aspx"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">http://www.savetherhino.org/eTargetSRINM/site/1/default.aspx</span></span></a></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-justify: inter-ideograph; margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman';"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> Renata</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><a href="http://www.savetherhino.org/eTargetSRINM/site/1/default.aspx"></a></p>