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When 12-year-old Griffin Vollemaere was killed in a school bus crash, his family was devastated. Although Griffin was just a teenager, he had a great vision for how he wanted to make an impact on the world. Griffin was an animal rights advocate and had a strong passion for social justice. Even at such a young age, he knew he wanted to one day move to Indonesia to work helping the struggling orangutan populations. The world certainly lost a powerful change maker. However, Griffin’s father, Brendan Vollemaere, was determined to realize his son’s noble vision.

Vollemaere decided to set up a foundation, Griffin’s Monkey Business, in honor of his son that would raise money to plant trees in “Griffin’s Forest.” The forest exists on a “ten hectare area of the Gunung Leuser National Park in North Sumatra,” which was previously destroyed by a palm oil company, but now is part of a 500 hectare rainforest restoration site. This section of forest is critical habitat for the orangutan, and Vollemaere’s goal is to raise enough money to plant 30,000 trees in Griffin’s Forest.


Griffin’s Monkey Business has formed a partnership with the Indonesian NGO, Orangutan Information Center, who works with the local community to organize volunteers for tree planting. The Vollemaeres have received an outpouring of support for their foundation.

Griffin’s father tells ABC Gippsland, “I think Griffin would be very proud but I also think he would be saying ‘come on let’s step it up a bit further.’”

Griffin certainly has a lot to be proud of. In addition to raising money for planting trees, the foundation is in the process of raising $20,000 for orangutan rehabilitation.

You can help make Griffin’s vision a reality by donating to Griffin’s Monkey Business, here.


Image source: Tbachner/Wikimedia Commons

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