Construction of the Senkwekwe Centre, a sanctuary for mountain gorilla orphans in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, is underway again and set to be complete by end October 2009. The facility, that takes its name from the Silverback that was shot and killed in July 2007, sits within Virunga National Park, a stone’s throw from the natural home of the mountain gorillas. It is the first refuge exclusively for mountain gorillas in the world.

The Murry Foundation has been active in eastern DR Congo for over a year, and has funded the construction of a primary school for 602 children at Rumangabo, the headquarters of Virunga National Park, that will educate the future guardians of the park and its diverse wildlife. The Senkwekwe Centre is also largely funded by the Murry Foundation, and will not only allow the orphan mountain gorillas to be kept in their natural habitat with highly-trained carers, but provide a platform for education in the local area that will help protect the mountain gorillas for generations to come.

Orphans Play

Ndeze Plays

Eddie Hides Syringe

Vets with Ndakasi

Ndakasi waking up with Andre

Ndeze is next

Mapendo Examination