We always say ‘it’s all about the animals’ and no matter what size we’ll try our best to help – well, we’ve gone HUGE this time and decided to sponsor an elephant!
After hearing about these magnificent creatures struggles over time, we are proud to now work alongside Gentle Giants. We have adopted Gularp (Rose – a very special name to me) and her calf, Mali.
As COVID-19 brought the tourist industry to a halt in Thailand many gentle giants and their mahouts were forced to walk back to their villages. At the trekking camps there was no more food or work for the mahouts and their elephants. It was heart-breaking to see and even harder to imagine that these amazing creatures would probably be forced back to work in the illegal logging industry once they reached the villages. Facing such urgency, Gentle Giants were forced to put on their thinking caps; and try to come up with solutions on how to help, not only the elephants from having to go back to a life of hard labour and long hours working in the tourist industry, but also their mahouts. Originally all these elephants were leased out to trekking camps so that tourist could ride on their backs, see them do circus tricks, paint etc. Life for them was sad and full of hardship. The mahouts didn’t have it easy either. They worked long hours for very little pay. And then, as opportunity presented itself, the new non-profit Gentle Giants was born; partnering with Save Elephant Foundation (founder Lek Saengduean Chailert).
On May 3rd, 2020 after walking for three days a herd of 11 elephants reached their village. The Karen Tribe at Mea Chaem welcomed their elephants with open arms and so much love. For many of the elephants it was their first time in the village. For others, like Mae Jaa the eldest elephant of the group, it was returning to a home she had left long ago.
Please visit: thegentlegiants.org you can sponsor any of the gentle giants in the project and see the amazing work this organisation is doing. By sponsoring, you are supporting them to remain home and out of the tourist and/or logging industry. Your sponsorship will give them the opportunity to stay within the forest roaming free among their own for just $50.00 a year or more if you wish to.
Each elephant has their own story and personality, your sponsorship will go towards food, care, medical treatment and their mahout’s wages. You’ll also get a Sponsorship Certificate, a photo of your sponsored elephant and a “Gentle Giants personalised sponsorship badge” which you may use as your social media profile picture.
Additionally, your sponsorship will help keep these Gentle Giants in the forest and their natural habitat. They will now be able to enjoy their lives as elephants; roaming free with their herd (their family). Their days of long hours walking under the scorching heat with tourists on their backs will have been left behind. Now, no chains will hold their feet, no bull hooks will be used, so not only are you benefiting these beautiful Gentle Giants, but you are also helping the community that coexist with them to thrive.
Come on guys, we really can make a difference!
The Gentle Giants Website Click Here
