Report from Mitra, who was on Harnas for the second time
Revisiting Harnas April 2007
My first trip to Harnas in Namibia took place in June 2006. I remember researching the internet for many months until I found what I thought would be the perfect place to visit and to realise a childhood dream of being close to the Wildlife in Africa. I wanted to find a place that was not solely based on making a profit or safari like attraction as such. I wanted to find a place whereby all the donations/sponsorships etc were put back into the Foundation for the good causes that it was initially set up. As all Harnas visitors can confirm, it was such a worthwhile research to find Harnas amidst all other places around the world. I was under no illusion or perception of what to except when I arrived, all I knew was that I wanted to do whatever I could to help animals, the rest of the experience I was open to.
Upon arrival into Windhoek, we were picked up by none other than Frikki and the stories commenced on our journey to Harnas and we started hearing about how Harnas came about and the animals that lived there. On the sandy road, Frikki's driving was "interesting and amusing" as he'd told us that the only way to drive on sand was to swerve from one side of the road to the other!
When we arrived Zion was about 8 months old, Trust & Pride were cubs and Mimi and Kevin were baby baboon, all of them full of life and very playful and lots of fun to spend time with. Zebe was allowed to go wherever she wanted and chased us just cos she could! The three worthogs Bobby, JR and Sue Ellen were cute at first and a pain after trying to eat everything in sight! Uma and Bubbles who are such barking mad dogs, Lala the gentle lab were all part of the charm of Harnas, which was full of amazing and interesting animals, the cheetahs, wild dogs, meercats, sheep, goats, leopards, mongooses, horses, lions, dogs, cats to name a few.
We did all the usual food prep, feeding, cleaning and interacting with the animals. We built ramps, did fence petrols, did survival and camped out for the night. A group of us kept the fire going all night as we could not sleep and just talked. It was so cold that we had to alternate our fronts and back to the fire before we lost all feelings in our bones, a truly magical night! Friendships were built and to this day, still in touch with some of the past volunteers.
I met the family and over the two weeks period learned about Harnas, the clinic, the people and the volunteer programme and how it worked. I returned home totally in awe of life at Harnas and decided this is the place for me to revisit again and do whatever I can to help. So in April 2007 I came back, I was touched when Frikki and the Family remembered me. So many changes had taken place in less than 10 months. The volunteer house was expanded and an additional room added (all the rooms now had curtains too!) and best of all we had our very own chef and a lovely young girl who did all the washing and cleaning - for those of us who'd not had that before, let me tell you it's such a luxury to have!
The food prep area is run much more efficiently and the grouping of animals easily identifiable with colour coded bowls for each group! Zion, Trust, and Pride had all grown up so much. It was amazing to think last year Trust used to suckle my fingers after having his milk and Zion used to play hide and seek behind the thinnest bush he could find, fully visible! You had to pretend that you could not see him, walking past he would jump on you firmly putting his front paws on your shoulders for you to grab so that he could walk behind you on his back legs alone and you holding onto his front paws!
Mimi and Kevin are playful teenagers full of tricks now! Five new baby baboons have arrived, Jacob, Moses, Vambo, Eta and the smallest of the clan Donovan. They have provided an immense amount of fun and joy for the volunteers. Jacob is the biggest and fun loving and many a times pinched pens, glasses and whatever he could get his hands on to eat! His love for Frikki was truly amazing, he'd drop us like a tonne of brick as soon as Frikki appeared and would not leave his side. On my last day, he discovered the pond in the court yard and had a splash about and not wanting to get out (Jacob not Frikki!). We all have the opportunity of putting nappies on the baby baboons of a night time and take them to bed! Marietta is an expert at putting on their nappies and Frikki needs more practising, as you may find your baby baboon leaking in the night! Although you have to ensure your room is totally baboon proofed! On my last night Isabel, Danielle, Sophie and I had all five of them with us as well as Pickles and Perky (dogs). The mayhem we had that night and in the morning was just brilliant! Although poor Perky hide under the covers and was pounced on so many times, we were sure she was traumatised by the experience, however, she was very jolly in the morning! Zion is amidst growing the most magnificent mane and very gentle and laid back just like their Mum Simba and his little brother Trust on the other hand has become very playful, naughty and fun loving and wanting to be the boss at all times just like their Dad Hemingway. Tara the dog is with them full time, however, she has not lost an ounce in weight playing with the lions! She stands her ground with her two baby brother lions though! You can see they both adore her.
Goeters (cheetah) is as magnificent as ever, prowling the back of the court yard, receiving attention and cuddles from the Volunteers going back and forth to the food pre area. Asam (vulture) is ever so greedy, trying hard to steal little dikop's food at every opportunity. Duma and Joannie are endearing to watch out on the cheetah walk and cheetah runs, the speed and agility that these two posses and to have the honour to watch them so close up. Boergit (adult epileptic baboon) has come a long way since last year, he's enjoying the time the volunteers are spending with him, talking, feeding him his favourite dried fruits and stroking his hands. It was lovely to see him happier. Going into the wild dog enclosures has always been one of my favourite experiences, the ear piercing sound they make and how they try to challenge you by grouping around you and you knowing full well that they are very scared of humans but still your heart beats very fast!
We camped out for the night and the difference of temperature was amazing, although a little cool it was beautiful. The stars and the milky way were so clear and you felt you could touch them, there were also shooting stars and you wanted to grab them and make a wish and let them be on their way. Frikki took us to the lion enclosures one evening and we just sat there in silence and listened to the lions starting to roar one by one and finally in unison, it made the hairs on your neck stand out and brought tears to your eyes. A truly magical experience.
Life at Harnas is always hectic, fun, exciting and you never know what awaits you round the corner or what adventures are being brewed up by Frikki, whom to all of us is such an inspiration, he's the surrogate father, uncle, mentor and friend to each and everyone who passes through Harnas. His words of wisdom and stories allow you to think about who and what you are, where you've been and what direction you want to take in your life, think about what's important in life and where our priorities should be. The Family, Marietta, Schalk and Jo also have a huge influence on our lives, readily available to chat with the volunteers, give advice, tell us stories openly and freely. To share their home and family with us in such a free manner that is somewhat unheard of in our part of the world. All volunteers do feel honoured and grateful to them allowing us to share their every day lives. They become the volunteers' surrogate Mum, older brother, sister, aunt, uncle and best friends.
As wonderful a place as Harnas is, we must not forget that it is not the animals alone that is Harnas, it is the Family and Frikki who are Harnas and through them we experience and are blessed to live Harnas via the animals. Without them, it would not have the same affect and we would not have these once in a life time experiences. I think I can easily say that for most volunteers, Harnas touchs your whole being and soul and helps you along in your path and journey of life.
