Zimbabwe Wild Dogs

Conservation of endangered wild dogs

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A personal loss in the wild dog team

Category: Uncategorized | Date: Aug 25 2009 | By: zimbabwewilddogs

Hi folks,

I’m afraid I have some sad news to report.  The wife of our head tracker, Rueben, passed away suddenly and unexpectedly last week.  We are all shocked and feel terribly sad for Rueben.  Very sadly, she left behind a new-born baby girl - Rueben’s first daughter, who was born just two weeks before her mother died. 

This means that, on-top of his personal grief, Rueben is struggling to cope with funeral expenses and compensation to her family, as well as having to buy powdered milk to feed his baby daughter.  This is hard to come by in Zimbabwe and is imported from South Africa which makes it very expensive.  We will do everything we can to help Rueben through this difficult time, including trying to buy the milk for his baby, and if anyone feels that they could help us with this, we would all be very grateful. 

One tin of powdered milk, which lasts for one week costs US$5.  Any donations made to the project in the next week I will put aside for Rueben and after that if you want your donation to go to helping Rueben and his daughter, please just leave a comment, and I will ensure it goes to him directly.

Rueben has been with the wild dog project for 13 years now.  He is an extremely talented tracker, a hard worker and has become a good friend.  Please help us to help him during this difficult time.

Rueben

Rueben tracking wild dogs

Thank you,

Rosemary

10 Responses to “A personal loss in the wild dog team”

Christine C., on 25 Aug 2009

Ah, Reuben, I am so, so sorry for your loss. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your baby daughter.

Rosemary — I am sending along a donation through paypal to help pay for powdered milk…sorry to post that here, but paypal doesn’t allow messages anymore.

Martha, on 25 Aug 2009

Could you let us know how and where to send donations for the powdered milk? What is the address for Paypal?

zimbabwewilddogs, on 25 Aug 2009

Hi Martha,

You can donate through the link on our blog site, or alternatively through the link on our project website http://www.africanwildlifeconservationfund.org
It’s very easy, just click on the button that says ‘Donate’ and it will take you step by step - the funds will automatically come to us if you donate through either the blog or our website.

Thanks in advance for your support,

Rosemary

Mark Kelly, on 25 Aug 2009

Just sent a small donation to Reuben for powdered milk. Coming up with the money for milk is the last thing Reuben needs to think about now. Please let us know down the road if he needs more help.

Anna M, on 25 Aug 2009

Rosemary, so sorry for his loss, I wish the best for him and the little girl and just to let you know I would like my donation to go to him and his little baby in any way he sees fit.

admin, on 26 Aug 2009

Sorry for your loss. Hope everything turns out well for Reuben’s family.

Joy, on 26 Aug 2009

Condolences to Reuben and his family. So sad that they baby has to start on powdered milk so early! Our prayers are with them.

lori schwartz, on 26 Aug 2009

Reuben, my thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. Please know that all of are sending you well wishes.
Lori

Barbara, on 27 Aug 2009

My sympathies to Reuben, hig baby, his wife’s family and their many friends.

Rafael G. Crespo, Sr., on 06 Sep 2009

Dear Dr. Groom:

I have just sent a $50.00 contribution through Paypal on behalf of my son Rafael,Jr. and myself, for Rueben and his newborn baby.

Regards,

Rafael G. Crespo

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