“Thank you. I bow in gratitude for the gift of you that you have shared. The Wednesday morning emails became balm for my anxious soul. You continue to inspire me.”
Reteti Elephant Sanctuary is the first indigenous community owned and run elephant rescue orphanage in East Africa. It reflects a growing movement in community focused conservation practices where the local people work to protect the wildlife they have co-existed with for hundreds of years.
Read MoreElephants at the waterhole! The news on the 2-way radio announced that a herd of elephants was heading towards the water hole at the base of the lodge. Robert, my Samburu guide, looked over his shoulder from the driver’s seat and relayed the news. “Let’s go!” I said eagerly.
Read MoreDid you know an elephant’s sense of small is four times as strong as a bloodhound’s? They can actually smell water several miles away. This can mean the difference between life and death during a drought. It’s very cool to be sniffed out by an elephant.
Read MoreDomenic, Joseph, and I were out patrolling the savannah in the morning when we spotted a herd of elephants making their way in a line across the horizon. The Matriarch was at the head of the line with another female following behind, a small calf hugging her haunches. Several other mothers, aunties, and nannies were part of the group plus one large bull elephant.
Read MoreThe elephants raced towards us, sounding loud trumpet blasts. Each orphan made a bee line to one of the keepers who, with one motion, stuffed an elephant sized baby bottle into their mouths. In no time, the bottle was empty, and the baby’s trunk reached out for the second bottle. Amos stepped to the side and motioned me in. I was in Kenya feeding a baby elephant—definitely a pinch-me moment.
Read MoreThe baby elephant flared its ears and shifted its weight back and forth from leg to leg. I was shaken with surprise; it took a minute for my heart to settle. “You’re okay,” I said quietly as I took a breath. “You’ll be okay here. It’s going to be all right. I know you are frightened and wondering where your mum is, where your family is. There are friends here who will take care of you.”
Read MoreI have lots of hope. And when I’m in a natural, wild place, then I remember. I remember that I need to think more consciously. That I need to make more conscious choices. I think we learn more through delight and awe and wonder than we do through lectures about how nasty we are and how stupid we are. So that’s the gate I want to come through.
Read MoreAs the new year begins, I’m thrilled to report that, thanks to you, my first Heartfelt Endeavours campaign raised a total of $6079 for Kisaruni High School in rural Kenya! Your contribution will have a ripple effect in the lives of these students and their communities.
Read MoreIn Kenya, even though education is free, there are many barriers to education, particularly for girls: early marriage, poverty, poor health, traditional domestic roles for females, gender-based biases. I’ve witnessed how these girls are transformed by their experience at WE primary schools.
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