Alumni of Elephant Village Initiative,
For many of us the fall colors are showing, the temperatures are cooling, and the newest school year is well on its way! A few months ago (can you believe it?), we were itching to absorb any moment possible, in an air-conditioned car or building; over in the scorching and sticky Thai summer. Now we’ve fanned out across the globe and are back to our “normal lives”.
As I’ve spent time thinking, processing, and absorbing the projects we were involved in this past summer it brings me a sense of elation, harnessed by pride in you! All the work you spent your sweat to complete, is not easily forgotten by me or the people and animals you all affected. We painted schools, trashcans, scrubbed moldy floors, taught Thai students, washed elephants, fed them, and harvested their food! All of these things are special because we got to experience them together and because we were ambassadors for GLA, our home countries, our families and our selves.
In Thailand you helped create memories for GLA students, other local people, and all of us staff that will be etched into minds forever. That means something to the future of the Elephant Village Initiative because you all were pioneers during GLA’s first year there and you laid groundwork that will be apart of GLA’s future work there! Anyone miss Mangosteen fruit yet? How about motorcycles? Some Thai curry?
I know I’ve had my mind on the remarkably intelligent, friendly yet wild, beautiful, elephants we got to meet and hangout with. As I’m sure is true with you, I’ll never forget the time we all spent in their company! Going forward in this year and the many more to come, keep your mind on who you are, where your going, all you’ve learned and be the leader and ambassador to the world I know all of you are!
In the spirit of service and with respect for all of you!
-Tim Easley, Director
Don’t just relive your summer abroad. Experience GLA in a whole new way next summer, in a country you’ve never been to before. Then check out Tim’s favorite memories below.
∴
Tim’s Favorite Memories:
-Mangosteen fruits til you drop
-Elephant eyes peering into our souls
-Poisonous Toads (though to be a cute injured frog)
-Bug-spray in the mouth
-Anyone want to get a coffee?
-Lanterns sailing our worries into the skies
-Saying “HOW” very loudly with no result!
