Help send Josh to Rwanda!

Trip Dates: July 28-August 8, 2024

Cost: $7000 plus insurance, tips & spending money

Payment Due Date: Monthly payments through 6/15/2024

Bio

Name: Joshua

Age: 16 (about to finish my junior year in high school)

Years in Zoo Crew: 4

Aspirations: To be a Wildlife Veterinarian

Why I want to go on this trip: It will help me connect with more people on a global scale and allow me first-hand and intimate knowledge of the 4 partners in Rwanda. I think this will be an amazing experience meeting with some of the most famous vets in the world considering I want to be a zoo veterinarian. In addition to being a memorable experience, I can use the knowledge I gain to be a better naturalist, using this experience as credibility.

How this trip will help build on the skills I have already gained in Zoo Crew: Zoo crew has also taught me accountability, independance, responsibility and how to be a leader. Traveling on this trip acts as a real-world test of these responsibilities, as we'll be entrusted with representing the zoo. It's a chance to apply and strengthen the skills I've acquired through Zoo Crew in a new and challenging way.

My Story: Next Stop, Rwanda!

I am a 16 year-old high school junior who is passionate about animals and wildlife conservation. From a young age I have always felt a connection to animals and wildlife and knew that I wanted to work with them when I grew up. Three summers ago I was accepted into the Houston Zoo Crew program and it has changed my life, providing me with hands-on experience and a tremendous amount of knowledge. I have been fortunate enough to have logged over 925 volunteer hours working as a Naturalist at the zoo thus far.

Growing up as a type one diabetic has taught me invaluable lessons about overcoming adversity, resilience, and the importance of pursuing one's dreams despite any challenges. Fortunately, my parents have always supported me, emphasizing that my condition should never hinder my pursuit of passion. I am determined to turn that passion into action.

Last year I was accepted into the Houston Zoo's "Teen International Trip to Galapagos" program and had an incredible experience learning about how important our conservations efforts are and seeing the impact of them in person.

I am thrilled to announce that I have just been accepted, through an application and selection process, into the Houston Zoo's Teen Service Trip to Rwanda program in July 2024. I am particularly excited because I will get to spend time with veterinarians from Gorilla Doctors and the Rwanda Wildlife Conservation Association. We will be trekking with the Gorilla Doctors to learn how they perform health checks on wild gorillas, and help them write their health reports.

As someone aspiring to become a zoo veterinarian, this trip is not just a thrilling adventure but a crucial step towards realizing my dreams. The knowledge and hands-on experience gained from interacting with these conservation partners will be invaluable in shaping my future in wildlife care.

To participate in this once in a lifetime opportunity, I am asking for your support to meet my goal. All funds raised will help cover a portion of my airfare, accommodations, transportation and meals. By contributing to my campaign, you are not only supporting a teenager's dream but also investing in the future of conservation.

Every contribution, no matter the size, will bring me one step closer to this amazing experience. Thank you for considering my cause and being a part of the effort to make a positive impact on our planet's biodiversity.

Joshua and Dr. Jan Ramer, from The Wilds Columbus Zoo

Here are some of the activities we will be doing from our itinerary:

WITH RWANDA WILDLIFE CONSERVATION ASSOCIATION

• Visit veterinary clinic

• Explore Umusambi Village and visit grey crowned crane reserve

• Assist in tree nursery

• Exchange ideas for education programs

• Participate in wildlife biodiversity surveys

• Participate in habitat clean-up

WITH CONSERVATION HERITAGE-TURAMBE

• Golden Monkey Trek

• Participate in conservation camp activities

• Meet students and observe education programs

WITH GORILLA DOCTORS

• Gorilla trek in Volcanoes National Park

• Complete gorilla health report with Gorilla Doctors

WITH DIAN FOSSEY GORILLA FUND

• Birding citizen science project

• Meet with high school students in environmental club

"We can’t expect children to grow up to care about something that they haven’t had a meaningful experience of. If we want to raise a generation of kids who care about our ecological future, we have to allow them opportunities to see the wide world, experience it deeply and fall in love with it." - Jon Young, Wildlife Naturalist

Conservations Partners:

Rwanda Wildlife Conservation Association https://www.rwandawildlife.org/

Founded and run by Rwandans who come from and understand local communities and their challenges, RWCA is a non-governmental organisation that provide a holistic, multi-disciplinary approach to critical conservation issues to create sustainable solutions.

Conservation Heritage-Turambe https://www.forgorillas.org/

Established in May 2013, Conservation Heritage-Turambe (CHT) is a local non-governmental organization which exists to educate local communities living near Volcanoes National Park, Rwanda to ensure they live in harmony with mountain gorillas and their habitat.

Gorilla Doctors https://www.gorilladoctors.org/

Gorilla Doctors is the only organization in the world dedicated to conserving mountain and eastern lowland (Grauer's) gorillas in the wild through veterinary medicine and science using a One Health approach. We appreciate your support as we continue to protect the health of these endangered animals.

Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund https://gorillafund.org/

The Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund leads the world in protecting and studying gorillas, while helping communities build their conservation capabilities.

Baby Gorilla Golden Monkey

Crowned Crane

Joshua's Service Trip to Rwanda

By JAM FAM

Joshua's Service Trip to Rwanda

My Wildlife Conservation Journey: Next Stop Rwanda!

Team Members