Plight of the Bonobo: January 2014

Mr. Mutombo,

I am an American physician from Brooklyn, New York and as you have worked tirelessly to improve the health, stability, and natural beauty of the DRC I too share in that goal.

I work with an organization called the Bonobo Conservation Initiative, which works primarily based out of a small region of villages within Equateur province called Kokolopori. Though the organization's main mission is protection of the precious creature called the Bonobo (which is only found in the DRC, and is endangered), the group works to attain this goal by focusing on the needs of the people in this impoverished region.

We have already protected massive swaths of land as nature preserves protecting Bonobos and local human villages from industrial encroachment and destruction. We have created a technical college, agricultural programs, and have brought hope for economic improvement.

Most importantly, and dear to my heart (and likely yours too as you are passionate about healthcare access) is the Bonobo Conservation Initiative human health clinic which provides needed basic medical services to these rural villagers. Currently it is rudimentary, but plans are in place to dramatically improve the clinic's capabilities should funding improve.

This is where you come in. We would like to cordially invite you to our fundraising and educational event in New York City on Wednesday February 19th 2014 (See attached invitation). Your connection to your people, and your passion for healthcare access in the Congo is so crucial to improving life in your country. A donation of any size from you or your foundation would help tremendously. Just your presence at our event would be greatly appreciated. Please let us know if you are able to come.