I
adore elephants, so when I saw the opportunity to volunteer for 2
weeks in Thailand and live in a rural village I jumped at the chance.
It
was one of the most amazing experiences I have ever had and I will never forget
the fabulous group of volunteers and helpers that I was with for that time.
We
stayed in a home stay an hour outside the city of Surin, 450 kms east of
Bangkok. These communities have kept
and cared for elephants for generations, and are like a member of their family.
Twice
a week we were able to walk with the elephants and their handler, their Mahout,
down to the river to bath them. They
loved to cool off in the water and we were able to go in with them.
We
also helped out in the community, helping to build a toilet in one of the local
schools, making ‘elephant poo paper’ to help with the expenses of the elephant upkeep, and also painted many elephant graves at the
local elephant temple. We were then
invited by the monks to attend a special ceremony that most outsiders don’t get
the chance to do. A very very special
memory.
If
you want to find out more about this project check out this link. This is an organisation that cares and
protects the elephants and doesn’t exploit them for tourist gains.
https://www.wearebamboo.com/volunteer/thailand/elephants.php?register=register
The ceremony at the elephant temple
No comments:
Post a Comment