Amazing Timberland Christmas for all at Mareja

We held a small community party as usual - this time three young cockerels were killed and Antonio prepared a mix with vats of rice.  There is some unexplained system on these occassions, plates and bowls galore appear and are stacked with food and some get two or one or three...for relatives at home, or for tomorrow, not sure?  We all sit on mats around a fire.  And we are given forks, all else  eat with their right hand, after being passed water for washing.   Once the food arrives there is much laughter and chatting - we discussed the year, the large number of students, the increase in research and other good things.

The food was delicious, a bay leaf or two had creapt in - and although every possible part of the chicken is cooked up in the dark all tastes good.

After food, Dominik hands out cigarettes and the merriment continues. 

THEN christmas presents - elders first, Nanquata, Antonio and all else in their groups - Rangers, the 3 young cheeky lads from Nanduli (who have been doing odd jobs), the wonderful old Carpenter and his two assistants, Adamo and Mamma Nanquata who is very shy in the shadows and Maria.

All the rangers and elders got new boots and EVERYONE got t-shirts and the two women also a bit of jewellery from me.

All in new clothes in front of our new eco-guest house...with chickens

Rangers with confiscated snares

Cassamo, Alberto, Mustafer

Antonio putting on new shoes being observed by Brazil

Antonio, our cook, in new outfit

Nanquata and Adamo, guards and members of Community Council

Ali, Head Ranger, in fantastic new boots with confiscated poacher wares -
huge man trap for large game and saw

 

Old Carpenter repairing main roof
(he was very pleased to have his photo taken)

  


Massalino (Ranger) helping with new roof



Our donation from Timberland has made a very great difference to the Mareja community and provided an especially happy christmas.  Dominik made a speech - explaining that a big interational company called Timberland had recognised the value of our work here, in this remote and poor corner of the earth.  He pointed out the logo which includes a tree and the earth in which it is grows- both fundamental aspects we work here to protect.  Gathered in a large group in our room sitting on a carpet, they all found the symbol on their new T-shirt and understood that all these things were provided by this large company based far off and fell silent at this thought.  The room was thick with a feeling that they and their work were valued and recongised - work for forest conservation. 

THANK YOU to my contacts at Timberland, and we will continue to try to keep Mareja, 36,000 hectares of coastal forest, despite all the challenging pressures, a land of timber and wildlife....

a very MERRY Christmas from the community here to you.