Rowena Facee Schaeffer

1. What’s your biggest achievement / Something you’re proud of yourself for?
“My biggest achievement is the decision I made over 10 years ago to step out of my comfort zone and completely change the course of my life. I wanted to dedicate myself to making the world a better place, so I transitioned from working full-time as a communications advisor for a local government to part-time. This came with a significant drop in income, which was challenging, even though I was already living modestly. But I knew I wanted to do more than just help protect animals from behind a screen or from the comfort of my home. With no prior training, I began working as a volunteer chimpanzee caretaker at Stichting AAP, where I received hands-on training. Over the years I developed the skills that brought me to where I am today.”

Now, I’m proud to say I’m a welcome presence at chimpanzee rescue centres, where I help save these incredible animals from extinction—not only by providing advice and fundraising through my own foundation but also by offering direct, on-site support. I feel incredibly lucky to have a husband who fully supports me in this work. Despite how often I’m away and how busy I am, he’s never stood in my way, and that has made all the difference in enabling me to pursue this path.”

2. What’s your biggest fear / something that holds you back?
“My biggest challenge is finding balance. I dedicate long hours to my work and my passion, often traveling to West Africa to support chimpanzee rescue efforts, while also managing a regular job to cover my expenses. On top of that, I have a personal life with my husband and our rescued cat, both of whom mean the world to me. As I mentioned earlier, I’m fortunate to have a husband who fully supports me in everything I do, but the reality is that I struggle to carve out enough quality time with him. It’s a constant challenge to juggle all these responsibilities and passions while ensuring I don’t lose sight of the people—and moments—that matter most.”

3. What’s your biggest contribution / Something you like to share?
“Something I’d like to share is this: go for it! Even if you feel like you don’t have the right qualifications or experience, you’ll learn so much along the way. I started my journey with no formal training, but by stepping out of my comfort zone and committing to my passion, I’ve been able to grow and make a real difference. So whatever your dream is, take that first step—you’ll be amazed at what you can achieve if you put your mind to it!”

4. Fun Facts:
“I trained jiu-jitsu for 20 years, which means I can turn an awkward handshake into a flying armbar before you even blink.”