Volunteering trips 2018

January 2018 - Chiang Mai, Thailand

Two wonderful weeks in Northern Thailand. One week near the elephants experiencing village life with a Karen family in Ban Kao Lipp. Planted elephant grass as food for the elephants and lime, sugar cane and ginger for the villagers. Distributed clothes and used glasses to villagers. Had a half day trash picking activity with Kru and the village children. Very interesting seminar by Lek, the founder of Elephant Nature Park. Visited many temples in Chiang Mai, learned basic Thailand cooking and went off again in the hills for a 3 day trekking/rafting experience with Mr Chom. 3 days of walking through forest and villages and chilly evenings spent by the fire.

July 2018 - Sumatra, Indonesia

Excellent trip to Aek Godang in Sumatra working in a recently opened animal sanctuary, Barumun Nagari.

The sanctuary has taken in several injured animals: 14 elephants, 2 tigers, birds and gibbons. All animals are today in very good shape and are free to roam in a secure place.

We worked on a major reforestation project: we planted 5240 saplings of trees to recreate the original tropical forest. The forest will be the home for rescued and wild animals and will provide the local community with fruits. The Barumun Nagari local team has been incredibly helpful and professional. We feel like it is the beginning of a long collaboration and there are many more trees to be planted!