Good Things Are Happening

This week we have some very good news for Virunga National Park and the humanitarian crises happening in DRC.

Today I learned that the American actor Ben Affleck has traveled to Congo and has taken a tour of a few IDP (internally displaced people) camps. This is amazing news and hopefully he can bring some much, much needed attention to the plight of the people suffering in this part of the world. I read news articles of children that have been separated from their parents. One little orphan was only 2 or 3 years of age and was found in a home with several dead people. A man carried him several miles to a hospital, where he could be treated for injuries (I think a gunshot wound)to his arm. They did not know his name, whether or not his parents were still alive, or exactly what they were going to do with him. He was being cared for by a young man that Doctors Without Borders was paying a small salary to. My heart breaks to hear a story like this. I think of my sons and how I/they would feel if we were separated by war. How I wish I could pluck this little one up and comfort him. If only I could!

Yesterday, I learned that Emmanuel, Pierre, Eddy and Brent Stirton (National Geographic photographer) went to Rumangabo Headquarters to see if they could gain access for the Rangers to come back and monitor the mountain gorillas. They were able to visit the Bukima patrol post for the first time in 14 months. What great, great news. Today I have learned that 120 Rangers have returned to Virunga National Park. A census on the gorillas will soon be carried out. After 14 months of not knowing how our beloved gorilla families have been doing, the Rangers will finally (if nothing horrendous happens) be able to check on them.

One of the last few gorilla sightings I can remember was a year ago, this past August when Bilali,from the Munyaga family,had a baby. It was one of the most precious videos I have ever seen. She was so patient as the Rangers seemed to disturb her and her new son. It was all out of love. And she seemed to understand that and allow for it. I was so enchanted by her and that little one. It was Mother's love to be sure. You could see it on Bilali's face. It reminds me that we are so close as a species. They love, care for and protect their young, as we do. Sadly, we were to learn a few days later that Bilali's little one perished in a scuffle between two silverbacks. It was so hard to learn this news and made it all the more important that something must be done to save these precious creatures. I remain hopeful that when the Rangers go to carry out this census, they will find new babies that have been born and are thriving in these wonderful gorilla families.