Jane!

Last night I had the honor to meet one of my idols. Dr. Jane Goodall, Dame of the British Empire, Explorers Club Medal recipient, United Nations Messenger of Peace, ground-breaking scientist, etc., etc.  ... her awards and accomplishments are just too extensive to list.


 





Jane came to Joburg to speak at the Rand Park Primary School in Randpark Ridge. (I actually helped out at the check-in and sales tables and was invited to stay afterwards and have tea with her!)

Jane has an exhaustive travel schedule, speaking all over the world on behalf of her Roots & Shoots campaign. An estimated 300 days a year! And she is about to turn 81! After she leaves Joburg, she will be visiting Chimp Eden on Saturday for another talk and book-signing before heading up to Tanzania.

Jane and Juliet Price from Roots & Shoots

Jane presented Rand Park Primary School with a "tree baton" and challenged the young people at the school to come up with their own projects to help our planet before passing the baton on to other schools in Joburg, challenging them to do the same.

with the Principal and Governing Board Head of Rand Park Primary

Jane with some of the students of RPP

selling merchandise to raise funds - photo by Shanice Naidoo, The Randburg Sun

a dream come true!

For more information about the evening, The Randburg Sun published this article and pictures.

PS: And now I am volunteering permanently with the Jane Goodall Institute's Roots and Shoots program in South Africa! Follow us on Facebook.