Orange County NC Website
DocuSign Envelope ID: C65FFCA2-OCAA-4476-9EO3-793FA837F635 <br /> attached to this application.Debbie is a mother of 3 and is a library patron.Her work showcasing <br /> and supporting the chimpanzee colony is having an impact globally as she goes about her daily <br /> life here documenting local events <br /> She writes:- <br /> In January of 2014, Debbie Meyer(who is the arts and animal columnist for the Chapel <br /> Hill News and Durham News) and Diane Toomey, a former National Public Radio <br /> environmental reporter, traveled to Cameroon,Africa. They spent two weeks at the <br /> Sanaga Young Chimpanzee Rescue Center in the Mbargue Forestdoing research and <br /> writing the draft of a children's book. The pair had been asked by the sanctuary founder, <br /> Dr. Sheri Speede, to create a book that would be used for all of the school children of <br /> Cameroon showing how the chimpanzees of Cameroon were a national treasure and <br /> why they should be protected and allowed to thrive. Chimpanzees have long been killed <br /> for their meat. Orphaned chimps of the slaughtered chimpanzees are sold for pets in <br /> private homes or for exhibits. Though these practices are now illegal,they still go on. <br /> Chimpanzees are in danger of becoming extinct. Through posters, brochures, a national <br /> radio campaign, and how this book, IDA-Africa works to bring awareness of the <br /> intelligence and deep emotional capacity of chimpanzees as well as their similarity to <br /> humans. <br /> The book is based on a true story of a young man who gathered great courage to bring <br /> an orphaned chimpanzee to the sanctuary. The watercolor illustrations for the book, "I <br /> Protect the Chimpanzees," were created by Mary Swift, a sanctuary volunteer. The book <br /> was written in English then translated into French,the language that most Cameroonian <br /> children speak. <br /> Debbie Meyer may be reached atrit�.t1��i� �z �ni1.�.Q or at 919-357-6142. Her <br /> mailing address is Debbie Meyer, 150 Wild Horse Run, Pittsboro, NC 27312. <br /> Images in the show will include the book illustrations as well a sampling of Debbie's photos of <br /> the sanctuary,the chimpanzees, and the neighboring remote villages and their residents, who <br /> grow the food that the chimpanzees eat.These residents have also grown to become protectors <br /> of the chimpanzees" <br /> This slate of exhibitions at the Carrboro Branch Library in 2015 aims to educate the general <br /> public about the importance of learning about and engaging with both the local community and <br /> global projects through literature and the arts. The Friends of the Carrboro Branch Library wish to <br /> thank the Orange County Arts Commission for its ongoing support and hope that you will <br /> continue to do so in 2015. <br /> Nerys Levy, <br /> Chairperson, <br /> Friends of the Carrboro Branch Library Art Committee <br />