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I feel very lucky to have this amazing opportunity that word s cannot
even describe. Lek is such passionate and selfless person to do what she
does and the inspiration and opportunity she has provided for me is the
priceless. I feel, as I owe her more than just the stint of the
volunteering I have contributed. Whether you are a volunteer or a
tourist wanting a few days with the elephants, what you will experience
at the Elephant Nature Park is unparalleled to any thing else. Once you
are educated and see what Lek has done you just want to know what MORE
you can do to help. While in the mountain my group was told story about
Boom Khum a bull elephant with one tusk that was sawed off and the
replaced with a serve infection. He then fell so ill that he collapsed
while working . Currently he is at Lek's Park and on the road to
recovery but he doesn't not have a chance unless he is able to stay
there. Six other volunteers and myself have gathered our own money and
will be helping to purchase him.
" JUMBO EXPRESS" is another great experience again unparalleled
to the tourist trek . Here we hiked , we went on the bamboo raft ( 8
hours total over 2 days ), and we saw hill tribe villages, but we were
just not there to just see or to just take a ride on the river. We were
there to treated sick elephants, distribute the medicine, and give
injection to the dogs and so forth. The bamboo rafting and hiking was
the means of transportation we had no take to reach these villages and
camp. Every one's experience of a life time leaving you with a feeling
of doing something good.
Added bonuses of volunteering to me were rearing a baby elephant. As with a child it does not take very long to feel incredibly
passionate for this baby .The other great thing, aside from learning,
was contributing ideas to help raise the Ging Mai. The team of people I
was volunteering with have all become great friends and also
inspirations to me. I feel fortunate to have met them and share this
experience with them. As I leave Thailand I am planning how I can help
back in America and of course when my next trip back here will be . I
think I cannot be said enough...Thank you Lek
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