Welcome to my fund raising page for Ape Action Africa. As you may know I spent last summer volunteering in Cameroon with Ape Action Africa. It was the most amazing and life altering experience. This spring marked the end of my two year commitment with Teach For America (I still will continue to teach- don't worry). I did not sign my teaching contract for the 2010-2011 school year so that I would have the time to go back to Africa to help care for the orphaned chimpanzees and gorillas in the care of Ape Action Africa. Also, I turned 30 this summer and living in the forest for three months is my present to myself. I will be caring for orphaned chimpanzees that they have rescued-some only days old and hours from death- from illegal poachers and bushmeat traders.You are probably wondering a lot of things right now like: What is bushmeat? How many animals are in Ape Action Africa's care? If I donate what will my money do?

- Bushmeat is meat of an animal that has been hunted for food. The hunting of gorilla, chimpanzee, and bonobo is illegal but the meat is prized as a delicacy and as a result gets a high price. All the orphans in the care of Ape Action Africa are a casualty of the bushmeat trade. This means that they watched as their whole family group was slaughtered by poachers and traders.

- There are about 300 primates in Ape Action Africa's care.

- Your donation to Ape Action Africa will allow this amazing operation in the forest of the Cameroon to continue to operate. All donations will go to assisting Ape Action Africa in caring for their orphans. What you give today could feed a baby chimp or gorilla for months to come.

Thanks for visiting my fundraising page. I am so honored to be returning to Ape Action Africa. I know this will be a truly life altering experience for me and I hope to thank the organization by helping them raise money to continue to do such vital work. Donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and totally secure. Your details are safe with JustGiving – they’ll never sell them on or send unwanted emails. Once you donate, they’ll send your money directly to Ape Action Africa and make sure Gift Aid is reclaimed on every eligible donation by a UK taxpayer. So it’s the most efficient way to donate - I raise more, whilst saving time and cutting costs for the charity. So please dig deep and donate now.

Thank you,

Erica Lucianna Mariola