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We often blog about the death of Rangers in Virunga – each time it is devastating event that permeates life throughout the park. Over 125 have died in the last 10 years in the line of service. This is a significant number – and as significant is the number of widows and fatherless children who are left to struggle. We at ICCN try to assist them as much as possible, with a one-off payment to start with. This has largely been possible thanks to your support on this website – your donations have been extremely generous and made an enormous difference to our over-stretched resources.

Now a group of 32 widows, with the help of IGCP, a not-for-profit organization here in Virunga, are learning how to sew to enable them to gain some financial autonomy. Much is reported on the plight of women in Congo – indeed it is one of the toughest places on earth for women.

So it is heart-warming to have an opportunity to blog about this positive initiative. Once the ladies have finished their training they will each receive a sewing machine so they can set up independently. Bravo.

I am now back in Virunga, with baby Alexander in tow. I got back last week - after a few months away that simply flew by. I shan’t overload you with photos of Alexander (Alexandre for you francophones!) but here is one I thought you may chuckle at.

Adele is his new nanny - and she seems to be adapting as swiftly as Alexander.

I have noticed remarkable changes upon my return, notably at Rumangabo which is a hub of activity. In stark contrast to this time a year ago when our Rangers were forced to flee and roam the park for days to reach safety, now there are dozens of briquettes presses being made daily to be dispatched far and wide and a brick machine is producing enough bricks for all the construction projects, including the 4 schools that are being built around the Gorilla Sector by William.

The school at Rumangabo is now swarming with pupils - and it seems as though it has been that way forever, even though it was only inaugurated in February. Innocent’s kids now go there (he of course went there too, way back when!)

Emmanuel and his team are ensconced in one of the main buildings at Rumangabo, an old colonial structure that has been refurbished. I am rather jealous to be stuck in the Goma dust and muck!

And finally the Rangers really seem to be embued with a renewed energy and optimism. Not that they ever lack optimism actually. But things are happening, changes are taking place - and Virunga National Park is moving one step closer to being the great park that it once was. It really is a privilege to be a part of this process.

And of course the support of all of you who follow us on the blog remains a key component of this momentous time. I am glad to be back.

In the Congo of today, the death of a husband plunges a family into poverty.

We’ve received a significant donation from the International Gorilla Conservation Programme (IGCP) to help the widows of the rangers who have died protecting the park.  Over 130 rangers have died, many of these during the war, and because of the situation, we were unable to provide them with any kind of support.

Life has been extremely hard for these women, who’s husbands made the ultimate sacrifice.  They were with us last year, when we evacuated Rumangabo during the fighting.  They remain with us, and are considered part of the Virunga “family”, but they don’t receive any financial help, and many of them are homeless, but for the makeshift accomodation that is prepared for them on the station.

So it was a huge boost for us to receive the support from IGCP, which enabled us to provide roofing, doors, and windows together with some additional cash to enable the widows to build a home and restore some dignity to their solitary lives.

As we were providing the equipment, we were able to listen to their stories.

For many, their husbands died in combat, and they were never able to say goodbye.

“Our souls were wrenched with emptiness and for my children and I, our life is full of despair” says Hakizimana Noella one widow in the  group.

For the Park’s wardens and rangers, providing a future for the widows and children of our fallen colleagues and friends is the greatest of priorities.  We’re extremely grateful to IGCP for beginning to put this right.

Our thanks also to those of you who have bought the book and made donations in aid of the families of the rangers who have died protecting our park.  This time we were able to help the widows of Rumangabo.  Many more need help in the rest of the park.

I am pleased to report the news that on Thursday at 3:17 AM Virginia gave birth to a healthy boy in London. He is called Serafin and weighed in at 3.6 kg (7.9 pounds). Both mother and son are doing fine.

William and Samantha have just sent us this picture of their son, who they have named Alexandre.

Looks like we have a new recruit!

I am pleased to announce that on Saturday at 5 AM Samantha gave birth to a healthy baby boy at St Thomas Hospital in London. The as yet un-named baby weighed in at 9.2 pounds and father William is over the moon.

The Rangers here at Bukima sent this video message to the new parents:

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Recently we have been telling you a lot of bad news, so I thought I would inform you of a happy event that took place last Sunday:

Beatrice Ndakasi is our staff secretary at Rumangabo Station and she gave birth to a healthy girl called Leticia.

Read the full story »

And that would be a human baby! Not a gorilla, nor a chimp, nor any other kind of primate that may be found in the Congo wilderness.

Yes - William and I are due to be parents on June 2nd. So in 2 weeks. (Sorry - no photo of protuding belly!) This means I will be visibly absent from the blog for June, July and August. I will still follow what is going on - the ups and downs, the hiccups and the successes - but just from a slightly further distance than usual. I am now in London and will be back in Congo and back in the saddle by mid to late September.

I shall post a photo undoubtedly of the new arrival - we don’t yet know if it is a boy or a girl. A dear friend has already sent me baby grows with the Virunga logo emblazened on the front - so for better or worse it will be very hard for me to forget what is going on in the park! It has been a pretty interesting pregnancy I think, being in Congo - as most people logically assume that us muzungus came out of 4×4s and planes. Mostly it doesn’t even cross their mind that we procreate in the same way! So lots of comments, questions, surprise, curiosity…

I hope to see the Protect the Park project improve in leaps and bounds with more and more plots sponsored, and of course the briquette program, a park-changing project that is so important to all of us. We have nearly reached our fundraising target which is exciting. The gorillas and other wildlife of Virunga will never be far from my mind - Diddy and Innocent and others are on the Google Talk regularly to tell me what is going on!

Thanks again for all your comments, donations, awareness raising and overwhelming support for what these brave and talented Rangers are trying to achieve. Catch you all later… Samantha

This afternoon I saw Ranger Janvier Bizimana right after he was discharged from the hospital where he was treated after being attacked by a machete-wielding poacher.

Janvier was picked up from the hospital by his wife Therese and baby daughter Rosette. As you can see his hands are heavily bandaged and will take a while to heal.

I showed Janvier Monday’s blog post. He speaks a little English and was really touched when he read the comments from people from all over the world. He asked me to pass on his thanks to all of those who wished him well and a speedy recovery.

Baby Rosette was happy to be reunited with her father

Earlier this year we announced the results our Mountain Gorilla Survey and several journalists came to visit us in the Gorilla Sector to cover the story.

One of them was Matthew Clark from the Christian Science Monitor who went with me into the forest to see the Humba Family . His photographer also spent some time with us and even took pictures at my house with my (human!) family.

Click here to see the video on the Christian Science Monitor website (click on image to watch video)

Another journalist who came was Stevan Lovgren- he filmed a video for the Smithsonian. It includes footage from a visit with the Rugendo Family and from an anti-charcoal operation at Mwaro , the last bit of forest connecting the Gorilla Sector with the rest of the park. (