My journey has never been a straight line. I built my career in the business and tech world — problem-solving, creating, managing, and helping people bring ideas to life. But alongside all of that, something far more unexpected shaped who I am today: Capuchin monkeys.
Years ago, I became a Capuchin owner myself. Like many people, I was drawn in by their intelligence, their curiosity, their spark and cuteness. What I didn’t realize at the time was how profoundly they would change my life — and how much responsibility, patience, and long-term commitment they truly require.
As my troop grew, so did my awareness. I started spending time at CESH Sanctuary in South Africa, where surrendered and misunderstood Capuchins find a forever home. That’s where I met Marlene, the founder, who has over 25 years of experience working with these incredible animals. Her knowledge, compassion, and resilience opened my eyes to realities most people never see.
I learned about the behavioral challenges that appear as Capuchins mature, the emotional trauma many arrive with, and how often they end up abandoned simply because their owners were never truly prepared or aware of the truth and risks. These stories stuck with me. They became impossible to ignore.
So I decided to do something.
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I collected everything I’d learned — from Marlene’s decades of sanctuary work, from research, and from my own experience — and turned it into a book designed to educate potential owners and support the sanctuary financially.
📘 My Book on Amazon:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0G29Z9GPC
Every cent of the proceeds goes directly to CESH Sanctuary https://ceshnpo.org to help with food, vet care, enrichment, and the daily needs of the monkeys who depend on them. My mission now is simple: to raise awareness, share honest information, and secure the funding needed to keep this sanctuary running. The website offer a donation option for anyone that can contribute will help Marlene a lot to keep the sanctuary going.
I write on Medium to share that truth — the beautiful parts, the difficult parts, and the essential lessons no one tells you before getting a Capuchin. My hope is that my work can prevent suffering, heartache, guide future owners, and inspire support for a sanctuary doing life-changing work.
If my story resonates with you, I invite you to follow along, support the sanctuary if you can, or simply help spread the word. These monkeys deserve safety, dignity, and a chance to live the lives they were meant to live — and together, we can make that possible.
Thank you for taking the time to read my story,
Love and care
Michelle
