My name is Alison Bristo. I am writing to you to offer the opportunity of a talk and presentation to your group. I have been giving talks and presentations for over 8 years to groups, schools and universities. The following information is a synopsis of talks I offer. Orangutan - Man of the Forest Orangutans have almost 98% the same DNA as humans. They are intelligent, sentient apes that can only be found living wild in Borneo and Sumatra. They are now critically endangered due to the loss of their habitat. In my talk I share my extensive knowledge about orangutans and experiences whilst working with them in both Sumatra and Borneo. I explain why they are in danger and what is being done to save them. I am a Volunteer Ambassador for the charity ‘The Borneo orangutan survival UK’ and have been a volunteer at Monkeyworld, Dorset. I participate in primate volunteer projects yearly in Borneo and have recently been to a wildlife centre in Africa. I give an up to date power-point presentation and show a film of my work with the orangutans. How Orangutans saved my life! This talk explains how my passions to help orangutans gave me strength, motivation and hope to overcome a life threatening illness. After many abdominal surgeries I was unable to eat and lived on a machine that fed me fluid into a main artery (TPN). I spent 9 months in Hospital feeling desperately alone, unworthy and anxious. I spent time in hospital making bracelets to sell to fundraise for orangutans and after being discharged from hospital to Bupa care, I continued to fundraise by holding craft fairs and giving talks on orangutans. This helped me gain confidence and along with this distraction I engaged in yoga and meditation. I slowly got better and three years later went on my first volunteer trip to work with orangutans. Since that visit I have continued to be passionate about saving orangutans from becoming extinct and continue to fundraise for them. My talk on this subject is still popular and I am told this talk is motivational, inspirational and interesting, along with a powerful message to 'never give up hope'. I show a power-point presentation on orangutans and a film of my first visit to work with them in Borneo. The Great Apes Following a recent visit to Cameroon where I worked in a wildlife centre protecting Gorillas and chimpanzees, I give a talk and presentation on the great apes; orangutans, gorillas and chimpanzees. I talk about the differences between these apes, including where and how they live, the difference in their behaviours and the ways in which wildlife centres work in Borneo and Africa.
If you have any questions or would like further information, please do not hesitate to contact me.