For everyone who loves the donkeys and appreciates Marina's and Ed's work, we need your help as soon as possible. The Dutch and Bonairean government have ordered the security border to the airport expanded to 230 meters from the runway, and so the road to the Donkey Sanctuary will be closed.

In addition, Marina and Ed have to dismantle their house, the store, build new stables, new drinking wells, new shade roofs, and move all the donkeys IN A YEAR with no financial help from either of the governments.

Please help us raise money to cover the 200,000 guilders cost for materials, labor, etc. to move the entire donkey sanctuary. To donate or to help in any way, write Marina at
donkeyshelp@telbonet.an

Thanks!

Boy does that rot!! How very sad
I really find it hard to believe that the local government is not providing any financial assistance with the transition.

Thats terrible!!! We'll be stopping in with some help when we next arrive. It won't be until April but we'll do what we can. I find it unbelievably cruel that neither the government nor the airport is willing to help.
$200,000.00 guilders. Thats about $114285.00 US.
Divide that by the airport tax of $34.00 per person comes to 3361 people. That's what? 2 weeks maybe a months worth of visitors to Bonaire? The airport can't live without that money. Come on!! Give them the financial aid or at last pay some of it!

Donkeys cannot speak , so I am there mouth
Donkeys are since the year 1700 on Bonaire, many of the visitors of Bonaire kno that they worked for the salt and on other heavy jobs for the people and they brought the people where they are now, but a shame for the donkeys that people forget the past so quickly and look outsite and the sun is shining .But clouts came for my Donkey Sanctuary because of the Dutch safety rules and they are; building or any construction may not take place in an area around the airport landingstrip
on both sites for 250 meters , there must be a green buffer and a good fenced area arround it.

That is why the governement of Bonaire finished our rental agreement bij coming october ,because of the safety guidelines.
And that we never have received any money from the governement is the trut, and now also , we wil never receive any money , that is why we are solely depending on you dear friends of Bonaire and animal lovers
Donkeys belong on Bonaire and must stay on Bonaire , that is why we need your help to do our job and for us it is realy very very hard that we must remove all we build and remove our house and rebuild it again , but we need to live with the donkeys to help and protect them this is how it is and we do the job now for allmost 16 years and donkeys can be over 40 years so we have a long time to go , so please help us to raise the neccesary money to rebuild the stables , store, toilets, nursery, orphanyard,shaderoof, waterplace on the land the foundation bought toghetter with sponsors so nobody can send us off this land , this is owned by foundation donkeys help , but we urgently need to rebuild the buildings, We get the time to oct. 2009 , all our hope is on you ,
sorry if I am writing the words wrong, but I hope you understand my request for help

in name of our donkeys
Marina Melis
donkeyshelp@telbonet.an

We'll be visiting in December and will definitely stop by and donate what we can.

I know this is early but I normally send Christmas cards to a lot of my BT friends. This year I am going to spend that money on the donkeys. I hope folks dont mind. If my ear troubles clear up I will give it to Marina myself in a few weeks.

I think that the Donkey Sanctuary is a great place and something needs to be done to preserve it. Despite the fact that I have found Marina to be possibly the rudest person on Bonaire, there is no doubt that her efforts have been most worthwhile.

The amount needed is paltry in comparison to the profits currently being made through development and it would obviously be nice for some of these people to give something back. However, I have no doubt that it will fall to the good people of Bonaire and visitors to save the day through donations etc.

I have Emailed a friend on island who has in the past, organised music events for charity. Maybe this is one cause that might be a worthy candidate.

I would suggest that a donation link could be put up on this thread and that visible collection boxes be put in every tourist related business to draw the attention of visitors.

Maybe an "Adopt a donkey" scheme would be another way forward to raise some cash.

I am confident that the targets will be met.

I have Emailed the UK's largest Donkey Sanctuary ( http://www.thedonkeysanctuary.org.uk/ ) to ask them for help, support and advice.

I will let you know if there is any feedback.

I have my thinking cap on....

I have met and chatted with Marina several times over the years, and find her to be one of the most giving, generous, kind, and loving people I know. She loves the donkeys more than anyone, they are her heart, soul, and passion.

save the donkeys

marina with noa, an injured baby who's mother was killed by a car, Noa herself was injured in the accident.


she let me feed her...this little baby was the sweetest thing

Noa was just five weeks old when her mother was killed, not yet weaned. Marina had to feed her every two hours for six weeks. Now, I ask you, could she love these ezels more? I think not. Noa followed her around like Marina was her mother, it was the cutest thing.

Boat Chick.

I have no wish to degenerate this thread, I take as I find.

Let us all rally for the cause and make sure that these creatures get the sanctuary that they deserve.

Antony (Still without the "H")

Antony, I have no wish to degenerate either...I was posting my thoughts about Marina, and the work she does in hopes that others, like you, will step up to the plate

I was thinking, would writing letters to the government or the Queen of Holland be of any use? To make them aware of the mountain Marina is facing?

Anything is worth a try but I fear that they are becoming a little inundated with requests for various causes.

If it wasn't too stressful for a particular donkey, how about occasional appearances at the airport when a plane is due?

Who could resist putting a few dollars in a box!

I'd be willing to setup a fundraising auction. I'm sure we could donate (or get others to donate) enough items to make it worthwhile. Maybe dive equipment along with items related to Bonaire (art, crafts, etc)

I'll be on island Oct 10-27 if Marina or anyone else wants to discuss this.

That's terrible. These animals are part of Bonaire and deserve better.

Could someone please set up a Paypal or similar account. That will help with donations from overseas. I could do this but I am a Bonaire rookie and I feel that it should be the responsibility of a seasoned Bonaire friend, one perhaps with closer ties to the sanctuary.

Also I think that we need some write up about the facts. Even if the airport and the local government are well within their rights, treating the sanctuary like this is reprehensible.

I will see you in a few weeks with a contribution Marina!

Hello Bonaire friends and animal lovers , a great way to donate money is trough Support Bonaire on this website , and please X Donkey Sanctuary as your project to help , this Support Bonaire inc. is very good in helping NGO's on Bonaire.
Thanks for your reactions!
donkey ia
Marina

SAVE THE DONKEYS
SAVE THE WORLD!!

Said in my best Heros voice!
Marina thank you for what you do and Pauline thank you for brining this to our attention.

This is one problem that we can solve... together! I will donate through the Support Bonaire link.

I have just received an Email from Harriet Pottinger who is the Assistant to Head of Overseas development for donkey protection.

She is apparently aware of Bonaires Donkey Sanctuary and has had dealings with Marina in the past, however, she was not aware of this problem.

The tone of the Email seems hopeful with maybe a chance of some funding from the organisation. Please read below:



"Dear Anthony,

Thank you for your enquiry which has been forwarded to me in the Overseas Department.

I understand from Mal Squance, our Deputy Chief Executive, that we have given donations to Bonaire Donkey Sanctuary over the years on several occasions. If Marina wishes to submit a proposal to us for consideration for some funding assistance, it will certainly be considered, but I am afraid that I cannot guarantee anything at this stage. However, I can tell you that we do not have the full £70,000 available from our budget for "small grants" for other organisations, so whilst we may be able to help with some funding, we will not be able to provide all of it.

It seems very odd that the governments have ordered the closure of the road/expansion of the airport because of the increase in tourism, but then will not contribute to the relocation of the donkey sanctuary, which is a significant tourist attraction!

I am sure you are already approaching everyone you can think of for funding assistance, particularly in Holland. Have you considered asking the local travel agencies as well? I'm not sure if you would find any other sources of funding via the Internet, but I find that Google is a mine of information and assistance on many things, so maybe that will turn up something. Good luck anyway, and please ask Marina to send any proposal she may wish to submit to the Donkey Sanctuary UK to me, and I will ensure it gets seen and discussed by the right people here.

With kind regards

Mrs Harriet Pottinger
Assistant to Head of Overseas (Developing Countries)"

Direct line: +44 (0) 1395 573042
Fax: +44 (0) 1395 573122
E-mail: harriet.pottinger@thedonkeysanctuary.com

I have also contacted the Customer Care department of KLM in the Netherlands with the following Email:



Dear Sir/Madam.
Please forgive me if this does not reach the appropriate person but I trust that you will forward it to the relevant department.
It has come to my attention that plans are afoot to expand the security zone around Flamingo Airport in Bonaire. The consequence of this will be the relocation of Bonaires Donkey Sanctuary, a place that survives solely on donations without Government assistance.
The sanctuary takes care of the majority of donkeys that were roaming free on the island for many years, With the advent of tourism and development, the roads became too dangerous for the donkeys and as a result, a sanctuary was built.
Not only is this a safe haven for the donkeys but it has become a major tourist attraction.
The relocation is going to cost in the region of 90,000 Euros, a sum of money that is way above an amount available to the charity. The Government will offer no assistance so it looks as though charitable donations will be the only way forward.
The shelter has 12 months to come up with the money and to relocate, a huge challenge.
Any help, advise or assistance by your company would be much appreciated by the locals and tourists of Bonaire, an island that I know KLM has a special relationship with.
Kind Regards.
Antony Bond,

Thank you, Tony! It would be such a great help to Marina and our four-legged furry friends if the Donkey Sanctuary (UK) will be able to assist in the "move". I do hope Marina will submit the proposal and that it is accepted and funds are issued to Bonaire/Marina shortly.

We will all be donating some assistance, as well, as individuals and every bit adds up but assistance from the Sanctuary will be such a great help, as well.

Thank you, again, for jumping in there to help out! Carole

Carole.

I have just received an Email from Marina and she is indeed putting forward her proposals to donkeysanctuary.com

I understand that they have been of assistance to the Donkey Sanctuary so hopefully they will be able to assist further.

Antony.

Having time on my hands today, I have also contacted The Brooke Centre (www.thebrooke.org)

They deal with the rescue and protection of mainly horses and donkeys and have worldwide outlets. More importantly, they now have a branch within the Netherlands.

Antony

Antony, you are really stepping up here. Thank you so much! As soon as I am able I will be sending $$ to help. If we all send a little, it will add up. Also, when we are on island we can stop by and see what we can do to help. I'm sure we ALL have pics of the donkeys we have taken while on Bonaire to share w/ friends...now lets share w/ the donkey sanctuary. It's only fair.

Antony, thank you for your efforts

Freddie can the other thread be linked here also?

I am not sure how the government works but donations have to be "presented" in a certain fashion or the sanctuary may not get all of the help that is donated.
Does anyone know the best way to donate money that is 100% going to their cause?
Marina and Ed also need to find people to help build (within this time frame) and volunteer's to help with the day to day upkeep of the "kids".
They have built a wonderful and necessary place for these animals with their sweat and blood and kindness WHILE working other jobs. They have no public funding and no "staff".
This hurdle they now face is going to be difficult one and I hope people stand up to the plate and help.
But how to secure the future of this sanctuary (as with the reefs) is a path that has to be explored by all who visit and care also.
Marina and Ed are just two people doing a very big job! As I said in the other post..it is a shame that Bonaire doesn't have a "Move that Bus" organization.
Both the sanctuary and the drainage could use one!!! (Thank you ABC )

maybe we can all work together now..
a MISSION

A MISSION

All

Must
Invest
Save the
Sactuary's (animals/reefs)
Insist
On
Nature's Preservation

Sorry...just got back yesterday. I truely love the island and I know I am not alone.
Tomorrow we go back to the day to day...but we can make a difference if this is the cause we choose this year.
Holidays are around the corner...this would be a good gift...a start..especially from the people who visit year after year.
Especially for the reefs and the fish and the fauna. Without people who really care and CAN help they may be lost.
This trip really opened my eyes to where my paradise "may" be heading.

Hi everyone.

I have just received this communication from Donkeys Help, an international organisation for the welfare of donkeys.



Yes, I did receive your letter, thank you. I forwarded it to the relevant people here and have just had back some response. In the first instance, it has been decided here that we should support you by lobbying and putting pressure on the Bonairean and Dutch Governments to assist with the cost of your moving, as they are the ones insisting that you do so.

If you and/or Anthony can provide any information in respect of who the best people in the Governments may be, with their contact details, this would be most helpful. Depending on their response, your request for funding can then be considered if still required.

It would also be helpful to know from you how you are getting on with raising funds from other sources, if you would be prepared to let us have this information.

All the best
Harriet

Good day too all of you , Susan Rademakers in Holland in working very hard with writing letter to all human soc she can find , but letters come back with no no we cannot help etc. as you can imagen this is hard but we go on .
We received from friends a huge donation $ 10.000 and one from euro 10.000 so 20% of what we need it inn , isn't that GREAT !!

As far as the Governement here and the Duth Gov. we know it won't work with sending them letters because they are not interested and i feel sorry for that, as we explained earlyer , the difference is that we are on rental land from the governement instead on lease or owned land , if we where on lease or own land than they have to pay you to go away , in our case , they quit the rental agreement after 10 years here with the sanctuary on this spot , and they can do that , people with a good hart and love for animals will never do this in this way

Thank you BT ers
Hope you will help us going on
a donkey hug
Marina

AnimalFriends, for the ones who are interested , we have send many letters now and in the past for help, to; NSVHD stands for Netherlands foundation for help to animals , WSPA , World soc for protecting animals, IFAW , International Foundation Animal Welfare , Stichting Doen , Nationale Postcode Loterij NL, PETA , The Donkey Sanctuary England , Brooks Hospital, Nederlandse Vereniging tot Bescherming van Dieren , Stichting Buitenlandse Asielen , Stichting Aap , and ANIMALS BEST FRIENDS ORG and many others

in the past Peta , The Donkey Sanctuary England,and Animal Best Friends helped us , but now.... as you know..

The bad thing of some foundations are that they write back with a criteria of giving help is.. that the org who provides the help must have an office in the town or island where they give the help !! That was Brooks , WSAP and IFAW, my opinion of that is that they NEVER give help to a foundation or what so ever because having an office from money who is given for animals is greazy.
thanks
Marina

ANTHONY AND OTHERS , PLEASE CAN YOU WRITE TO BEST FRIENDS ORG OR ANIMAL BEST FRIENDS IN THE USA FOR ME , YOU KNOW THE RIGHT WORDS ALSO PETA AND MAYBE YOU KNOW OTHER ORG WHO WE DON'T KNOW
THE DONKYES THANK YOU
MARINA

Marina, I will write to Best Friends.

Marina and BT Mod's to donate to the donkey sanctuary from this thread do we have a link to paypal for the sanctuary? Is this the correct way to go about donating so Marina and the donkeys get the whole amount donated?

If this is possible other sites on BT like the sewage issue should also have a link on an appropriate thread to make it easy to donate.

Marina.

Please don't entirely dismiss the possibility of help from the Bonarian Government.

Although I realise that they have no legal obligation to help, they may feel pressured from other quarters.

The Government make their money from tourists and of course, the Donkey Sanctuary is one of the biggest attractions. There is also the public persona to consider. I am sure that the Government do not wish to be seen by the outside world as uncharitable.

I for one will be lobbying the Governor.

Antony.

Hello Antony , I don't dismiss but tryed many times , but the gov said they have no money but please go ahead you never kno!

For all donations please trough SUPPORT BONAIRE INC 100% is for the Donkeys if you X Donkey Sanctuary
Thank you all
Donkey Hug
Marina

Do Waterlands Houses need to move then too since they are even closer to the runway??

WATERLANDS IS NOT CLOSER TO THE RUNWAY , 250 METERS FROM THE MIDLE OF THE RUNWAY COUNTS AND NO CONSTRUCTION , BUT THE ROAD WIL BE CLOSED , A NEW RUNWAY WIL BE BUILD AND THE OLD ONE WILL BE A TAXIBAAN FOR THE PLANES AND SAFE RULES FORBID THIS , AND SAFETY GO"S FIRST UNFORTUNATLY FOR US
Marina

I visited Best Friends in Utah this summer. I'm not sure it's in their charter to help other organizations re-locate. They give homes to otherwise unplaceable animals and operate a no-kill sanctuary.

Marina, I am giving you a check for $1,000 to honor all the compassionate and diligent work you do for Bonaire's donkeys. And, Anthony, I encourage you to write Bonaire's government, but from my observations over the years, they have not given one guilder! They seem to want to invest their money in new docks for cruise ships, etc., and I am sure the Bonaire Tourist Board does not see the sanctuary as as tourist attraction like you do. Maybe they would also be a good group to approach.

THANK YOU PAULINE , AND WE KEEP GOING ON FOR OUR DONKEYS .

MARINA AND THE DONKEYS HUG YOU

Well...it doesn't seem like "Tom C" is going to step up to the plate of helping our reefs and wildlife.
So Marina my donation will be sent through Support Bonaire. We wanted as a family to pick a good cause for the holidays...and this seems right for us!
Please keep us posted on support funds or lack of that you receive. (not sure if that is a public issue...but email could work.)
As the days start ticking down...it may promote hearts across the Bonaire community to step forward for you and the "kids".
Look for our contribution in the A.M.
Thanks again for you kindness and caring and sacrifice for the good of the animals...

And now off to the sewage issues....!

We'll meet you at Kon Tiki with the carrots, Meryl....I'll never forget the first time we "met".

Thank you so much, everyone, for your generous support for the donkeys in need of our assistance. cb

We talked about that over dinner this past Sept. wish we had it on film!

Sad to read this. Hugh and I have donated to The Donkey Sanctuary in the past. I also adopted a donkey and Marina named her after me! I can't emphasise enough how passionate Marina is, and has been for so many years, regarding the welfare of these animals.

Marina, you are all in my thoughts.

I hope this problem can be solved.

Hello Sarah , Hugh and all our sponsors and donateurs , we are so lucky and happy that our future view we had several years ago. to buy the land more south of our sanctuary,with money from the sponsors and our selves, so the donkeys are save for the future and nobody can send the donkeys and us away from their own land thanks god! It is because of you also that they will have many good years of living on this island , instead of getting hit by a car or abused and walk around the island to find water and something to eat , the donkeys deserve this too, and it is because many people amongst you helpt us to buy the land toghetter with us that they are save now. So now the rest for the new donkey sanctuary move , a shade roof , new fencing, new stables , new special care area, new drinking places etc. This is all we will loose but not our will too help the donkeys from Bonaire , they will survive and our moving must be done in 12 months from now , so please help us because it is a heavy job we can asure you
thanks all of you again.
Marina in name of our donkeys

Hello Friends of the donkeys , Antony and others , please if you wrote a letter for us to get sponsors or other help , please send us the names or company's who you wrote and send us a copy please to donkeyshelp@telbonet.an , we want to be sure not sending several letters to the same person or company.
Thank you very much
the donkeys and me

THANKS FOR GIVING ME THE COPY'S OF THE LETTERS ( 0 ) , HOW WE CAN WINN TO SAVE THE DONKEYS ON BONAIRE.
I AM CALLED THE RUDEST PERSON, GOD KNOWS BETTER
THANKS TO THE HANDFULL WHO REALY HELPT, THEY KNO ME BETTER
Marina

Hi,

How about KLM and other airlines being contacted about having a collection from passengers on all arrivals to Bonaire. People are more likely to be generous on the arrival as they have their holiday to look forward to. It may also get more people to visit the sanctuary too.Airlines have collections for the "Born Free Foundation"which is another animal charity.

I know this thread is very old, but I'm wondering what has happened with the move. If I'm understanding the sanctuary website correctly, the deadline is in five weeks, which happens to be when I'll be on island.

Is this still planned?

Tom

This is a very sad situation but a lot of positive suggestions and help appear to be on the horizon.
I live in southern Spain where there is a little white village called Mijas, famous for the Mijas Taxi, which is in fact the Burro (Donkey).
I am searching to see how I can link Bonaire with Mijas in order to get some support. Mijas Hash Hash House Harriers are having their 20th Anniversay Celebrations at the end of September and their logo is the Burro. I am wondering if they might donate. My thinking cap is working hard. Has anybody prepared a detailed press release about it which I could use locally.