By Chloe McKeon – Teaching Intern

While I have only been in the Pakinyaw village for a short time, I have already been amazed at the experiences and efforts of the staff and other interns here. Right from our arrival we were greeted with kindness and welcomed into this little “family” that they have created.

The staff and other interns have been so understanding of the transition between the culture I have left and the one that I will be calling home for the next few months. It’s not just the people in the Kindred Spirit program that have been welcoming, but also the villagers themselves. Although we do not speak the same language or have the same customs they have been very patient and kind, opening up their homes and families to us.

Apart from the people, there are the elephants themselves! Just getting to the elephants was an adventure in itself, but completely worth it. I never could have imagined how it would feel to be able to interact with elephants in the wild. My favorite elephant t Boon Rott, he is such a ham! He loves people and has this smile on his face that can light up a town full of people. For such a big animal he is incredibly gentle, always watching where he is going and where people are. I can’t wait to spend more time with these incredible creatures.