Monkey See, Monkey Do

On our 8th day abroad, the 2018 Nyah cohort got to “monkey around” with the residents of the Tafi-Atome Monkey Sanctuary. Following Atome’s creation in 1993, visitors and village residents alike have enjoyed the beauty of the forest and the monkeys that live in the sanctuary.

Throughout our short trek on a forest path, we heard the calls of the wild monkeys. The playful primates swung from tree to tree, only to be lured closer by peeled bananas. To feed the Mona monkeys, one only needs half of a banana, an outstretched arm, and the courage to go out on a limb! Several fellows had exciting close encounters where the curious creatures perched on the fellows’ arms or shoulders! Other monkeys would approach our group and eat bananas right out of our hands!

Overall, the experience was incredible and an eye opener to social impacts on the environment. Tafi-Atome was founded to protect endangered species after people lost their reverence for the Earth and its creatures. As leaders, we must take a stand and guide others toward living a compassionate and socially responsible lifestyle, just as the founders of Tafi-Atome Monkey Sanctuary did.

~Ryan Rowe