A group of enthusiastic school children recently enjoyed a day at the Phang Nga Elephant Park (PNEP) to learn about elephants.  This followed on from the inaugural visit by students in December 2018 (see previous news item) supported by STEF as part of its commitment to encourage education on the welfare and history of Thailand’s elephants.

The students came from the Yaowawit school in Kapong, 125km north of Phuket, which was initially set up to aid children affected by the tsunami in December 2004, and now educates some 138 youngsters from underprivileged families.  The lucky group of 20 that were welcomed for the day at PNEP as part of the Place2C programme had the Park exclusively to themselves, offering them the opportunity to meet the elephants, learn about them – and have some fun.

The students, aged 7-12 years, learnt about the important role of the Asian elephant in Thai culture as well as the management, welfare and history of these magnificent animals.  They watched as the daily health checks were done, and saw for themselves the care given to the elephants.  Then, of course, the best part:  they got to feed the elephants with the supplement food balls (which they had helped to make) and lots of bananas.

Later in the afternoon they all took part in an elephant themed treasure hunt with educational clues (and plenty of prizes) until the final clue led them to helping the PNEP’s volunteers to plant grass for future food for the elephants.

“Our children had a lovely time at the park” said Miss Pissamai KomKirin, Manager of Yaowawit School.  “They really liked the programme that was organised.  Thank you for this great opportunity”.

The Children met the STEF Thailand Chairman, Jake Thaotad, who commented “We were so pleased to sponsor the visit of these lovely children to the Phang Nga Elephant Park.  The smiles on their faces as they met the elephants and fed them bananas was a joy to see.  They also learned so much from the fantastic team at the Park.  STEF Thailand is very proud to be associated with the Place2C project”

 

 

 

 

 

The Trustees of STEF are lucky to be supported by four Volunteers, who have given their time freely to help us in our mission. It is time to publicly thank them for their work and to express our appreciation for their efforts. You can read a bit about each of them if you click here.

Two of the team, Blaid (left) and Jess (right), at different periods each spent several months working in Southern Thailand as volunteers at an ethical elephant park. Both are keen environmentalists who care passionately about elephants, their future and their welfare. Jess is now working as a Research Agronomist for a Biotechnology company in Nottingham, and Blaid, a qualified engineer, has a dynamic post with a multinational energy company with an office in central London. These two great people are helping us with our fundraising.

Abi, the third UK-based member of the team, has not worked in Thailand but she has made a visit to see for herself and to learn about our work and mission and after that was determined to assist us. She has an amazing background in business, travel and tourism and is bubbling with ideas to help us to promote the charity using social media platforms and in looking for companies and individuals who would like to be associated with our work. We are benefiting from her enthusiasm and marketing skills.

In the USA, we are lucky to have Sarah (left) working for us. Like Blaid and Jess, Sarah also worked with elephants in Southern Thailand as a Volunteer in 2018 and  saw for herself what can be achieved practically and effectively for the health and welfare of domesticated elephants. With a lot of experience working with animals, Sarah wants to help STEF do more to protect and care for this endangered species.

All of these young people share our passion for the Asian elephant. They all have busy lives of their own yet somehow find time to give several hours a week to working to assist us. We sincerely thank them all. If you are able to help them a bit in their work to raise the vital funds we need please do so. You can contact us for further information by clicking here. One of the team will get back to you asap!

 

Despite the heavy rains at this time of year, we do get some sunny spells and this is when the workforce can get going with the infrastructure for the new clinic. The works will continue steadily throughout the rest of this year but we have started this month with pile driving to sink reinforced concrete poles (piles) into the soil to provide foundation support for the main barn. A drop- hammer uses a falling weight to drive the posts into the earth.

Now the pillars are in place, we will move on to lay the foundations (again weather dependent) and build the office and small laboratory. We have ordered the solar panels to provide the electricity for the unit but we are now actively fundraising to get the money to drill the borehole and erect a water tower to supply the site. Meanwhile we will keep you posted as the building work continues. Thank you for your marvellous interest and support.

If you can help us to complete the elephant hospital in 2019, do please give what you can. It can be dedicated to an individual or to a cause. If you are a UK tax payer, please consider completing and returning a Gift Aid form that can be downloaded here. Gift Aid enables us to claim an extra 25p for every pound you donate at no cost to you.

Please Contact Us if you have any specific ideas or wishes how your gift might be used.

The Trustees of STEF are delighted to announce the appointment of a new trustee. Mrs Gillian Newsum joined the Board in June 2019 and brings a wealth of experience to the Charity having previously been a Trustee of the University of Cambridge Veterinary School Trust for nine years, and has been involved in fundraising initiatives for the Addenbrooke’s and Rosie Hospitals in Cambridge.  In addition to being a Trustee of STEF, she is a Trustee of the Lujenna Educational Trust, and Chairman of the Cambridgeshire College Riding for the Disabled Group.

Gillian is a graduate of Reading University and spent 20 years as Equestrian Correspondent to Country Life magazine.  and has contributed to many other journals and newspapers, covering the major international equestrian events.  She is also the author or co-author of 10 books on equestrian subjects and famous horses.

A family visit to Phang Nga Elephant Park in 2018 was the high point in a life-long love of elephants, and intensified her interest in helping the domestic elephants of Thailand. She became fascinated by the STEF Thailand development at Ban Ton Sae and in the ecological approach to the environment in building an elephant hospital to benefit the many hundreds of domesticated elephants in the region.