Cape Town - Monkey Town Primate Centre in Somerset West has opened its doors to 100 non-profit organisations free of charge.
The centre launched an Ubuntu campaign in May which runs until the end of the year, encouraging the NPOs to apply and take advantage of the free access to educational programmes and a variety of other activities.
Monkey Town manager Melissa Grobler said visitors will have access to about 230 monkeys and apes from 26 different species, among other animals.
“Each group will receive a guided tour through the primate park accessing reptile garden and they can make use of the braai and picnic facilities and the kiddies play park, and two public feedings,” Grobler said.
“The idea of the Ubuntu campaign was born during lockdown. (However), we could not help our community when we were at our lowest, but we promised ourselves that once we were back to a semi-normal state after Covid-19 we were going to open our doors to the most vulnerable in our communities for a fun-filled day at Monkey Town."
“NPOs play a vital role in building healthy communities by providing critical services. At this stage, we have 27 NPOs with a total of 1 100 visitors that have either visited us already or have been confirmed for visits to us. We have been approached by homes for abused women and children, soup kitchens, feeding schemes, orphanages. We have had children here that have never been out of their gang-infested areas. Most have never seen a monkey in real life. The need is immense.“
The centre knows what it is like to be on the receiving end, Grobler said. “We realised that we are extremely fortunate to receive assistance. We are still only scraping by on our knees, but without the assistance of the public it would have been a very dire situation.”
In 2020, IOL reported on the centre’s appeal for donations to save it from closing its doors as it had neither visitors, nor income.
The At Mary’s Home of Hope in Parow has confirmed a slot for September and founder Maria Basson said she would be be taking 20 children.
“My shelter is for orphans, abandoned and vulnerable children. They never saw a lot of animals together. I want them to scream with joy and enjoy them so much that in the evening when I wrap them in I want to see a smile on their faces.”
Dylan Graham from Cope with Hope in Diep River was lucky to gain free entry to the sanctuary even before the launch and encourages organisations to take advantage of the opportunity. “There is so much to learn, and it gives children a whole different experience of life from outside their communities,” he said.
Only registered NPOs are accepted, applications can be emailed to [email protected].
Weekend Argus