Mariah Saves Gorillas

Mariah Nablo, 8, is asking the community to donate old cell phones to her cause, "Mariah Saves Gorillas," an effort to save habitats in Africa being destroyed by companies mining for coltan, a chemical used in cell phones. Saving gorilla habitats in Africa and trying to stop big cell phone companies from mining. The work of a large advocacy group? No. It's the mission of an 8- year- old.

Mariah Nablo was so moved by a TV documentary that showed devastation in the Congo that she has joined the efforts of Eco-Cell in collecting old cell phones. The company's No Landfill Cell Phone Recycling Program takes old cell phones and either redistributes them or reuses the parts.

The devastation shown in Africa is from companies mining for coltan, a material found in cell phones, laptops and other electronics.

"Their homes are destroyed and they die," Mariah said about gorillas in that area.

Carrying her two stuffed mascots, a monkey and a gorilla, Mariah is going around town setting up donation boxes and speaking about her project — Mariah Saves Gorillas.

Recently she spoke to students at Williamsville East High School who have agreed to help her cause. To date, Mariah has collected 355 phones.

She started at her father Thomas' workplace, HSBC, as an Earth Day campaign, and 150 phones were donated.

Mariah now has donation boxes at Assemblyman Jim Hayes' office at 5555 Main St., near Cayuga Road; Puddle Duck Toys & Dolls, 5225 Sheridan Drive, at Evans Street; and at various schools and banks in the area.

People can visit her Web site, www. mariahsavesgorillas. com for locations and information.

Mariah's mother, Kristen Nablo, said her daughter was very upset after seeing the destruction on TV, and shortly afterward, they visited the Buffalo Zoo where they saw an Eco-Cell donation box. From there, Mariah decided to join the effort in collaboration with the zoo.

"She wanted to do what she could to help," Nablo said.

Mariah's efforts were recently recognized during a conference in Houston where one of the speakers focused his exhibit on her project.

Mariah's goal is to collect at least 1,000 cell phones.

The staff and parents at Maple West Elementary School, where Mariah is a student, continue to fill the donation box with phones. Nablo said she is always receiving calls to pick up more.

"I want to help the gorillas; their habitats are being destroyed," Mariah said as a plea to get others to donate.

When her mom asked her what would happen to the gorillas if nobody recycled the phones, Mariah said sadly, "They would all die."

In addition to cell phones, chargers and accessories can also be donated.

Visit Mariah's Web site to learn more about her mission and how to help. Also visit www.eco-cell.com for information on the organization.

She said she hopes to work with animals when she is older, like the late Dian Fossey.