Our new development takes shape – March 2010

Months ago we had to muster all our courage to start an immense project: all our buildings have to be relocated. Or better said: all our present buildings have to be knocked down and we have to build them all over again on a different location. This because the Bonairian government forces us to relocate part of our sanctuary.

Meanwhile our new Donkey Sanctuary Bonaire is taking shape. Thanks to Ed and Genaro, who do almost all building work with their own hands. And thanks to generous sponsors en donators, who provide us building materials and financial means to make this relocation possible. Although we still have a lot of work to do and we lack money for some essential parts, we are on our way!

The Dutch Association for the Donkey Studbook donated us a fantastic wind turbine. With this wind turbine we will be able to generate all electricity we need in an ecofriendly and independent way. The manufacturer, Fortis Windenergy in the Netherlands, provided Ed for free a training to install and mantain the wind turbine himself. Marco Weernink from Werkcon lend us –like always- a helping hand with his hoisting crane to set up the wind turbine. Litterally and metaphorical a peak during the last months of hard work! Generated electricity that we do not use instantly, will be stored in batteries, so even in rare times without wind we will have a buffer.

The last weeks we also did a lot of invisible work. Numerous grooves had to be digged in the ground for all necessary pipe-work. Hundreds of metres of grooves have been made, pipes and cables have been placed inside and the grooves were closed again. Nothing to see of it anymore, but an extensive and essential job.

space. The new stock guard is also placed and will be the future start- and finishpoint for a drive through our park by car. At the main entrance to our park we will have an automatic barrier, thanks to a donation from the Family Jongerius in the Netherlands.

The construction frame of the big shed is completely built. However we have to wait for a period with less wind, before we can put the wall- and roof plates to it. Otherwise we would be blown away together with the plates to the sea! The new shop will be made in the same way: a frame covered with plates, all provided by our sponsor Werkcom. The frame is ready and will be put in place very soon. The three toilets that will be made at the back of the shop are sponsored by Plieger and the materials already arrived on Bonaire.

The stables for injured and ill donkeys, that we were able to build thanks to KI Developments, are brightened up by colourful painting. Soon the roof will be placed on the stables. Doors and bars will only be installed at the last moment, as we will re-use these from the current stables.

The wall surrounding the new iguana- and tortoise garden has also been painted. Thanks to Aorta Productions our reptiles will have a beautiful new living

Our new visitor centre is becoming a real eye catcher. Under a palm leaf roof will be placed beautiful new terrace furniture, that was given to us by Satelliet. Meanwhile we already use this new furniture on our current location. We are so happy with this gift! At the windward side of the visitor centre we created a nice looking wall, that will provide a sheltered seat to our guests. Just like at our present visitor centre we will make a wall of flowering bushes and hopefully the

All in all: it all takes shape. But we are still desperately looking for means to create the essential ‘special care meadow’. Donkeys that need extra care, pregnant jennies and mums with foals can not yet be placed in the big park. For these animals we need to have a separate meadow close to our home and shop, but we still lack the money to do so. After all we already have difficulty paying for our normal daily expenses, like food and hay for our hundreds of donkeys. But we have confidence that things will eventually work out. Are you willing to help us or do you have any ideas for us to gain support, please let us know. Only thanks to your support we will be able to go on caring for the donkeys on Bonaire!

hummingbirds will find this new spot. We already took a lot of cuttings, that are almost ready to be planted.