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Good Bye Sam - and Thank You

Category: WildlifeDirect news | Date: Feb 08 2008 | By: admin

January was a great month. We raised a total of 29,433 dollars in 422 individual donations. That means we were getting almost a thousand dollars a day! Pretty impressive we think but what’s REALLY exciting for me is that we raised money for 29 blogs. We now have 61 blogs – that means that half of our bloggers are being successful in fund raising in January which is a far sight better than we were doing last year. Our average donation size was 70 dollars. We owe you all a big thank you. Remember that all your donations are recieved in the field net only of bank transfer fees.

This blog post is to thank Samantha Newport who leaves us today. Sadly her flight connection did not permit us in Nairobi to say ASANTE SANA - THANK YOU SAM and KWAHERI. In Kiswahili we say Kwaheri Kuonana meaning goodbye and see you again. As you all know Sam has been instrumental in WildlifeDirect going far beyond the call of duty and bringing enormous value to this young organization. We hope that even if you find fulfilling work out there in blizzardy England, you will stay close to us all here at WildlifeDirect in Kenya, Congo, and Italy.

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13 Responses to “Good Bye Sam - and Thank You”

Lisa, California, on 08 Feb 2008

Goodbye Sam! Lisa

THERESA SISKIND, on 08 Feb 2008

Sam, maybe you could put in a good word about WLD with Sir Paul McCartney. He would make a great spokesperson for them! Take care, friend.

Virginia, on 08 Feb 2008

Hey Sam, I was lucky to give you a big hug yesterday, you must be fliying now, and so many memories must be flashing past your mind!!! It was a pleassure to work with you, I have learnt a lot and hope to see you again sometime soon.

Faye, on 08 Feb 2008

Aw, goodbye Sam and thank you for all the updates over the months on all the Great Ape blogs.

Alasdair Davies, on 08 Feb 2008

All the best Sam, you did a fantastic job - I’ll try and track you down now you are back in England. Hope you’re well, Al

Erez Erlichman, on 09 Feb 2008

Dear Sam,

Thank you for all the good work at wildlifedirect!

It was a pleasure working with you.
All The Best in the next challenges in the UK,

Erez Erlichman
Israel

THERESA SISKIND, on 09 Feb 2008

Will, thanks for the link. Beautiful country and wildlife. The photo of the Catholic walk disturbs me however. I’m Catholic but don’t agree with their stand against birth control. It is far better to have one healthy, educated child then a faimily with empty bellies and little prospects for a better future. The larger problem is the growing population crisis. Every blog at WLD talks about man’s growing negative impact on the environment. I discussed this problem with Dr. Terese Hart (bonobo blog). She shared her insight into this situation. Women, apparently are valued on the number of children they have. I for one, would gladly support a planned parenthood program there. This crisis needs to be addressed, for I fear all conservation efforts will be diminished.

Will, on 11 Feb 2008

Hello Theresa
Although it is possible that measures should be taken to tackle population growth, I do believe that the main cause for ecological damage is the consumption rates of the rich in the Northern Hemisphere (plus the Aussies). This is using up our natural resources far more than the poor ever could.

THERESA SISKIND, on 11 Feb 2008

Hey Will, thanks for your reply. I read recently the Aussies had a big carbon footprint despite efforts to combat this. Unfortunately for them, they are experiencing their worst drought in over 100 years so I don’t know what part that may play in their consumption. It was negligent of me not to mention in my original comments that regardless of one’s wealth, population control is everyone’s responsibility. And yes, wealthy countries seem to always “stick it” to poorer countries. My dad taught me “waste not, want not” a lesson I value. While I may not be able to take on the big corporations, I would love to help these poor people in a meaningful way. I hope we can keep the dialogue going in future posts. Thanks again for all the wonderful pictures and keep up the good work.

admin, on 12 Feb 2008

Hello Theresa, you’re welcome.

Today is my last day working with WildlifeDirect, however I will still be working closely with them but will be employed by the Mara Conservancy instead; so we’ll be able to keep in touch over at the Mara Triangle blog.
All the best.

THERESA SISKIND, on 12 Feb 2008

Paula, you need to check out the latest post on the Lola Bonobo Blog. Bushmeat is consumed by both the rich and poor in Africa. It costs more to buy a primate then a chicken so the excuse that the poor have no money to buy food doesn’t wash! If we don’t get a handle on this situation real soon, we will loose many species because of gross ignorance, not because of poverty. I eat soy and dried beans for protein, I probably spend less then some of these “poor” people.

Timmy, on 31 Jul 2008

You guys do a wonderful job! Keep up the good work!!!

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