"Amores Animales"
"A story of struggle, resilience, and healing in the heart of Africa"
“I wrote this book to honour the invisible threads that unite us —humans, animals, the Earth, and our shared traumas. It’s a tribute to love, to resilience, and to the possibility of healing together. These pages carry the echoes of my daughter’s questions, the strength of Congolese communities, and the wisdom of the chimpanzees who taught me that sometimes, presence is the best therapy.”
— Lorena Aguirre Cadarso
Synopsis
“Since 2003, I have tried to stay true to the calling that brought me to the heart of Africa: to protect animals and the people who suffer.”
With these words, Lorena Aguirre Cadarso —known as “Mama Lorena”— begins the story of several years of her life in the Democratic Republic of Congo and her "animal loves": her work with both people and animals, especially chimpanzees; life in a country devastated by violence; the healing of trauma in child soldiers and their victims; women and girls shattered by rape used as a weapon of war or by harmful magical beliefs.
The book also explores her decision to focus on mental health as a solution for building a more equitable and joyful world, and the path toward recovering trust in oneself and in others.
In all of this, animals play a fundamental role — often becoming the best therapy.
Book Details
-
Title: Amores Animales
-
Author: Lorena Aguirre Cadarso
-
Language: Spanish
-
Year of Publication: 26th april, 2023
-
Publisher: Planeta, S.A.
-
Format: Print and Kindle
-
ISBN: 978-84-670-6914-3
-
Available on: Amazon and other online platforms
"By purchasing this book, you become an integral part of my journey and that of the Congolese chimpanzees and communities. These remarkable beings—humans and chimpanzees alike—deserve to live in peace, yet they first need recognition and understanding of their challenges from every corner of our planet. Your support not only empowers them but also enriches your own connection to their world."
— Lorena Aguirre Cadarso