Call us crazy!
I know people look at us with a bewildered expression when
we share our desire to travel to India.
It is probably not the trip to India that prompts those strange looks,
but more because of the reason behind the trip. We are going to India to see an
elephant.
Lance and I have followed the story of Raju, a 50-year old
elephant who had lived his entire life abused and neglected. He was so malnourished that he ate plastic
and paper. His previous a-hole owners
had him chained up 24 hours a day. These
chains had sharp spikes that cut deeply into Raju’s legs. He developed sores and abscesses and was in
constant pain. Wildlife SOS, a rescue organization
in India, rescued Raju on July 4, 2014 (appropriately American Independence
Day). When Wildlife SOS came to rescue
him, his owner created a more chaotic environment by trying to intimidate even
more fear in Raju. His owners also
tightened the chains so that the spikes drilled deeper into his flesh. Each step was even more painful. Raju realized he was being rescued and that
Wildlife SOS was helping him, and to the rescue group's surprise, he began to
cry. Tears came from his eyes. There are pictures where you can visibly see
the tear stains. His story traveled across the globe. Lance and I made an immediate donation to
Wildlife. We began following Raju’s recovery and rehabilitation. We decided then to become monthly donors to
the organization. Wildlife has been so responsive. They promptly answer every email I
write. It makes me feel encouraged and
more willing to donate.
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| Meet Raju |
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| My baby is smiling. He looks happy and he deserves to be. No spiked chains on his legs anymore! |
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| Raju loves his pool. |
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| Raju getting treated for his wounds |
I asked Wildlife if it was possible to visit their sanctuary, and they responded that visitors are always welcomed as it is important
to ensure trust through transparency. I
later learned that you can also serve as a volunteer at Wildlife. It was very easy for Lance and I to agree
that our next family vacation would be to India. Wildlife SOS is located in Agra, India which
is south of Delhi. Agra is also home to the
Taj Mahal, and India is rich in history so there will be plenty to do and see.
The volunteer program at Wildlife SOS is a 5-day program
where you work on various tasks as building enclosures, feeding, cleaning,
bathing etc. You work from 0900 – 1700 hours
with lunch served at 1300. You stay
overnight at the site and vegetarian meals are provided. Children are also welcomed to
participate. Lance and I have decided to
do a three-day volunteer assignment. I
don’t think I could do five days with the kids.
This is going to be an extraordinary, once in a lifetime learning
experience. We are all so excited!!!!!!!
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| Some of the other elephants in the conservation center including Laxmi |
We are planning the trip in November 2015 (around the
Thanksgiving holiday). India is too hot to
visit in the summer. I’ve already begun
the long process of saving. In six
months, I’ll look at flight options.
Here we come, India!
Lance and I have also decided that are logo for Tide the
Knott will NOT be two rings intertwined, but two elephants with their trunks
intertwined.
Some possible ideas for the photo/image that we will use on Tide the Knott.
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