Jungle Friends Primate Sanctuary

Kids for Monkeys Hall of Fame

Kenzie's Trip to Jungle Friends

In 2008, Kenzie's family set off on a 3-month, 11,000 mile tour of the United States. Monkey lover that she is, Kenzie made sure to put a monkey-stop on the agenda. The family planned their visit to Jungle Friends months in advance.

Here's what Kenzie had to say about it in her March 14th blog…

This is Chi Chi. Yesterday I found out that we get to go to the Jungle Friends Sanctuary! It is a primate rescue center. If you are one of my friends, you know how much I love monkeys! My family and I are going to volunteer there in Gainesville, Florida. I've decided, for a late b-day present, to sponsor a monkey there. It includes a picture painted by my monkey! I get to watch him paint it! I've chosen this cutie, Chi Chi. You can read about her at www.junglefriends.org. I get to be with her for a little bit by her cage. I can't wait! :)

Kenzie did have to wait, though, almost five months until her family got to Florida! In the meantime, Kenzie did sponsor Chi Chi. She loved her sponsor gifts and was thrilled to know that in a few months she would get to meet Chi Chi "primate to primate."

Finally the big day arrived. On September 5, 2008, Kenzie and her family arrived in Gainesville to spend the day volunteering at Jungle Friends. In spite of the heat, humidity and hungry mosquitos they all put in a hard day's work to help their friends, the monkeys. They pulled weeds and planted trees and plants, washed LOTS of monkey bowls and prepared monkey food.

Did all that hard work dampen Kenzie's enthusiasm? Here's what Kenzie blogged about her visit…

This time we got to go to Jungle Friends. It is a primate sanctuary. We got to fix up a cage for some of the monkeys. Although we sweated a lot, I loved it! Next, we cut up veggies to make "monkey soup". I tore up broccoli and peppers .I then snapped peas. Finally, we washed the monkey dishes. It was all really hard work, but in the end…IT WAS WORTH IT!!!!!!!!

Kenzie and her sister Faith in a monkey habitat.	Monkeys eat a lot of veggies!
Washing monkey bowls... and more monkey bowls... and MORE monkey bowls!

Thanks, Kenzie! We think the monkeys are worth it, too, and we are so happy to have wonderful people like you and your family help out!

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