This will be my final post for 2020. It’s the day before the Solstice, the longest night of the year. This year two planets, Jupiter and Saturn converge on December 21st—appearing closer together in the night sky than they have in 400 years. If the sky is clear, we will see them come together as one bright star on the horizon.

“Come see our orphans, I’ll take you over first thing in the morning.” said Robert, my Samburu guide. Before the sun was up, we were bouncing down the dirt track in the land cruiser towards the stables at Sarara Camp, in Northern Kenya.

When our grandson adopted a rhino for his birthday he explained his choice because “they have a really cool way to poop!” He’s absolutely right, they do. A male rhino poops in one spot creating big pile of dung, known as a midden. This marks his territory and acts as a warning to those who might trespass.

I believe animals can teach us a lot about love and compassion. As a trauma therapist I heard many stories about how family pets or farm animals were the companions who provided love and solace in situations of domestic violence or abuse. The emotional support from an animal to a human and human to animal can heal deep wounds of separation, abandonment and trauma.

My love of Kenya and Africa was sealed by a kiss in Oct. 2010. My first day in Nairobi we headed to the Giraffe Centre—a refuge and breeding centre for the endangered Rothschild (Nubian) giraffes. I did not know that there were 9 species of giraffes on the African Continent.

I said to my guide, “Robert, I've heard of the singing wells.” “Yes,” he said, “it's dry season so we're using our singing wells.” “Could I go?” I asked. “You want to go to the singing wells?” he asked. “Absolutely!” I said.

I confess, I am in love with elephant ears—the real ones. Although, as I write this, I realize one of my favourite pastries as a child was elephant ears so perhaps, I was destined to love elephant ears. I love elephants too, most of you know that, but, those ears—amazing! I remember the day I was hooked.

At a time when the news is dominated with reports of communities in conflict and environmental disasters, I have good news! Caring people are having a direct positive impact on the lives of others. This week’s story is one of gratitude. Special thanks to readers who have donated money or purchased products from my online store. You are making a difference in the lives of people in Kenya and the wildlife they coexist with.

As I lay in bed, I heard rumbles in the dark. I knew what they were. That's how elephants talk to each other. They have a deep rumble that comes from their belly and other than their body language—trunks and ears and use of their body—it is one of the main ways they communicate.

My final and 26th game drive in January 2020 and I felt full. My photocards were full. My external drives were full. My heart was full! Steeped and sated in my encounters with the iconic African wildlife and its people, I wondered what this day would bring.

. The afternoon is quiet in the heat. No sound of bird calls or animal rustling outside my door. I raise myself up on my elbows and peer through the screen trying to orient myself. An enormous red brown head rises out of the thick grass. There is a huge bull elephant silently enjoying a mud bath directly in front of me.

The temperature is rising in the mid-morning heat of Amboseli Park near the Tanzanian border in southern Kenya. The dry, grey volcanic dust of Amboseli announces each family of elephants as they march in silence towards us. I have never seen so many elephants in one place. I came to see the elephants of Amboseli, and they showed up.

I’m delighted to announce one of my images won the Greenpeace 2020 photo competition. I’m proud my photo is associated with Greenpeace, an organization that works tirelessly to raise awareness about environmental issues and conservation. The contest theme this year was wildlife mothers and offspring.

A friend responded to my story last week (Part 2) that high school student Mercy’s dream to become a surgeon was unrealistic. I agree with him that poverty, lack of access to post-secondary education, and unemployment are stark realities in Kenya and not all girls will achieve their ambitions—however, I believe in the power of dreams for their young women.

“I want to be a pilot.” “I want to be a nurse.” “I want to be a teacher and come back and teach the children in my community.” The girls from WE Charity’s Kisaruni High School enthusiastically share their dreams with me as I sit at a desk in one of their classrooms in rural Kenya.

The Samburu girls push the bowl towards me inviting me to choose some beads. Leah invites the girls to show me how to thread a line of beads on the needle. With a swift movement, suggesting ten thousand hours of expertise, they swipe their needles through the bowl and voilà, their thread is stacked with beads. I follow suit, the beads avoid my needle like captives on the run. We all laugh.

Would you like to go to a wedding? I will take you if you'd like to go,” says Robert, my Samburu guide. A Samburu wedding? “I’d be delighted! I'd be honored!” I respond enthusiastically. I can’t believe my good luck. “You can't take your camera,” he says. “I understand,” I say heart sinking, knowing that my iPhone will have to suffice enroute and my memory of the event will have to do the rest.

I know I’m fortunate. I know I am one of the fortunate few to be able to go to these wild places, and meet these extraordinary people, and meet these extraordinary animals. It's a gift and it's very healing for me, it’s very magical for me. My hope is that by sharing my stories I can help build a bridge and let the rest of the world know that these people and these animals and these wild places are out there and we have a responsibility. We have a responsibility to protect them and to speak for them.

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.