tswale needs your help!
By now, you know the story of how Modjaji died and how Tswale made his decision to avoid a similar fate.
When asked how he would like to write a happy ending for Tswale, Amos replied without hesitation, ‘He is happy here at Lowhills, and he has everything he needs for a good life. He chose this as his home, and he has healed from the attack here. He no longer has people riding him, and he doesn’t have to entertain anyone any more. He just gets to be free. He can just be himself, and he has the freedom to still enjoy his interactions with humans.”
When asked what it will take to make that happy ending a reality, Amos explained, ‘Tswale’s owner understandably needs to recover his financial investment. He has kindly offered us a window of opportunity to buy Tswale, and we desperately need to raise the funds to do that.
Sonell and I have agreed to be Tswale’s guardians together if we can raise the funds, so that we can not only secure his freedom, but also that we can ensure his future will not include the trauma of another relocation, and separation from anyone he loves.’
This is an opportunity for our species to make a meaningful difference, and to give a very tragic story, a happy ending. Meeting the immediate financial needs of Tswale and Amos’s next chapter, will ensure that:
1) Tswale can remain at Lowhills, where he has chosen to make his new home – funds to transfer ownership.
2) Tswale can stay safe at night – funds to build him a secure 5 hectare boma.
3) Amos can have adequate accommodation to stay close to Tswale – even when he is safe in his boma at night.
However, this is NOT a charity. The amazing work Tswale and Amos have devoted their lives to – of educating people about elephants, and helping them to understand how important their preservation is through personal interaction experiences, generates an income. Meeting the immediate financial need is to return Tswale’s current owner’s financial investment, and secure Tswale’s safety at night in a special boma. Constructing a place for Amos to stay is the third major need. These are big ticket items, which, once they are in place, will help Tswale, Amos and Sonell to embark on a path of self-sustainability for Tswale’s future needs, which include:
1) Pellets (in copious amounts;-)
2) Amos earning an income to support his family, and remain at Tswale’s side without his family suffering financial loss as a result.
3) Amos training and equipping another handler (that Tswale approves of), to relieve Amos and Sonell from being with Tswale 24/7, and for future continuity in his care.
You can help by:
1) Donating. All funds donated will be fully accounted for and subject to audit.
2) Sharing Tswale’s story far and wide – we can make a difference if we all stand together.
3) Meeting Tswale and Amos in one of their amazing elephant interactions.