By Kate Robey | Charitable Trust Operations Manager
Dear Supporters,
As well as caring for the elephants by keeping them living free in the forest, this project also aims to provide a sustainable, alternative livelihood to the mahouts and the community that we live in.
One of our main goals for GVI Chiang Mai is to empower the community to take over and run their own sustainable volunteer project, it is important that they have a good level of English. This will allow members of the community to communicate effectively with volunteers and tourists.
GVI staff and volunteers constantly teach at the local school, as well as run informal lessons in many homestays around the village; with the intention of providing, at least, a basic knowledge of English to the majority of the community.
Nicki, our community coordinator, has brought an increased enthusiasm into the teaching side of the project. With some extra organisation, we now have an extra class added to our teaching schedule- a kindergarten class to go along with grades 1-6 that we already teach English to at the school.
Being able to start English lessons with children at a younger age will aid them in the future, hopefully allowing them to be leaders in their community, with the sustainable tourism business increasing in their local area. It also allows the volunteers to get some great social time with the cutest kids in the village.
Our constant work within the community has already shown results, with many of our mahouts already being able to interact, in English, with the volunteers while hiking with the elephants. Many other villagers also enjoy testing out their English skills over dinner, or while walking around the village.
We are always looking to increase our work within the community, teaching being one of our priorities. With the consistent efforts and enthusiasm of staff and volunteers, we have no doubt that we will attain our aim of providing this village with the skills it needs to go from strength to strength in the future.
Thank you for your continued support.
With Gratitude,
The GVI Chiang Mai Team.
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