Help Me Support Wildlife Rehabilitation in Zimbabwe!

Erika Intfen Start Date: Dec 22, 2017 - End Date: Jun 21, 2018
  • Educational/Research Trip
  • Professional Development
  • Volunteer Trip
  • Zimbabwe

My Travel Story

by: Erika Intfen Start Date: Dec 22, 2017 - End Date: Jun 21, 2018
  • Educational/Research Trip
  • Professional Development
  • Volunteer Trip
“Like us, animals feel love, joy, fear and pain, but they cannot grasp the spoken word. It is our obligation to speak on their behalf ensuring their well-being and lives are respected and protected.” - Sylvia Dolson


I have a passion for life. All life.

Not only does this passion include the life I choose to lead and the life of loved ones, but it encompasses each and every living creature I encounter. While it is a long-standing goal of mine to act on this passion daily through love, compassion, and an open heart, there comes a point where that does not seem to be enough any more.

It is time for me to take the next step in actively living through these goals. While this includes dedicating a large chunk of time to revisiting future career choices, daily product purchases, volunteering at the Denver Zoo and local wildlife sanctuary, and looking into potential educational endeavors, I am starting with what I know to be real, measurable action:

This August, I will be spending 3 weeks volunteering at the Chipangali Wildlife Orphanage and Rehabilitation Center in Zimbabwe. This opportunity will allow me to serve our planet in a way that will directly impact the lives of numerous endangered species, whether it be rehabilitation and release, or helping care for animals who would no longer survive in the wild. In addition to animal care including feeding/food prep/cleaning rehabilitation work, I will be given the opportunity to:

  • Assist with routine vaccinations
  • Provide animal enrichment daily
  • Support wildlife research at the center including data collection of zoological records including physiology and behaviour of species
  • Assist with leopard and brown hyena population studies and biodiversity studies at the nearby Matopos National Park
  • Join the Environmental Programmes Involving Children (EPIC) project to assist in educating local communities, specifically school groups, about their natural heritage and wildlife conservation

"Gratitude" doesn't even begin to cover how I feel to have an opportunity to spread so much good, and to truly have a hand in healing the world. While this dream will be coming true this summer no matter what, this is where I ask for help. Though not a small amount of money, I am asking for the exact amount of the project cost. I will have other costs to cover such as flights, a visa, and miscellaneous travel expenses, but this is what I choose to ask for help with. While this does include my housing and meals while volunteering, the remainder of the payment I am making goes directly to the orphanage. Even the money that covers room and board allows for passionate volunteers such as myself to go out and work to repair our Earth, and the creatures inhabiting it. With the work of volunteers, those running the center have the capacity to focus on finding animals across Africa in need, setting up local educational events, and helping with day to day veterinary services. 

Any little bit truly helps, and if I make it over half way to my goal, I promise to keep a daily journal while abroad to turn into blog posts when I return back to the states. In addition, for donations $30 and over I will post a personalized video for you, and work to get a picture of your favorite animal just for you, as I will be encountering a very wide variety of wildlife!

Thank you, thank you, thank you from the bottom of my heart for reading, and for any contributions you may choose to make.

Gratefully,
Erika
  • Zimbabwe

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