Background
Located near the architectural marvel the Amber Fort, elephants were a part of the Maharaja’s(Kings) Parade but post-independence the elephants are now used in the tourism business for rides. Essentially, it is difficult for the giants to survive in the arid land of Rajasthan who were introduced for war against horses who are frightened by their enormosity.
Challenge
The elephants remaining in the city are threatened by the inconsiderate environment and living conditions, especially lack of water since Rajasthan is a dry region. Consistent pressure by animal welfare associations have led to the GOR(Government of Rajasthan) to regulate Elephant tourism, living conditions and overall well being. This includes providing regular checkups by vets, proper shade and water, Ankush(metal hook) replaced by bamboo sticks and constricting work hours to only in the morning. The bigger issue here are the under-paid Mahouts who take care of these elephants at a meagre wage of 40$-60$/month. They are demotivated and hence are unable to facilitate proper care.
SBB Intervention
STEP Beyond Borders has identified a specific Mahout Family who doesn’t divulge in elephant tourism. The project is run by foreigners visiting and volunteering for the elephants. Our projects ensure sustainability as the mahouts treat elephants positively and cooperate when provided with extra physical labour. STEP Beyond Borders financially assists the project to ensure the elephants get proper food and water while the volunteers add value by working with the mahout and the elephant.
Main tasks of the volunteers:
- Observe and help the mahouts to do the clean the elephant’s space – it’s a small area which needs to be cleaned regularly
- Sort and put the bamboos in ties to feed the elephant
- Feed and provide water to the elephant regularly
- Bathe the elephant
- From time to time make chapati bread to feed the elephant
- Take the elephant for a walk
- Do oil massage to the elephant forehead as that’s the area sun burns most
- Do community mobilization and teach basic skills to mahouts’ children who lack education support
- Any other related tasks
Apart from these, we would be happy to welcome and discuss more ideas from you
- Program Base: Jaipur
- Project duration: 1- 24 Weeks
- Joining dates:
- Arrival date: Saturday or Sunday are preferable, if not weekdays will be managed
- Arrival airport : Jaipur
- Beneficiaries: Vulnerable elephants and mahout families
- Working days: Monday to Friday, Weekends are off
- Total volunteer hours: 9:00 AM – 2:00 PM OR 1:00 PM – 6:00 PM
- Weekends: Free to do sightseeing or travel
- Requirements: Basic English is needed to communicate with the mahout (elephant caretaker)
- Pre-arrival assistance
- Detailed pre-arrival orientation and cultural awareness info
- Pick-up from Jaipur International Airport
- A detailed orientation about India, project, cultural responsibility and things to remember in India, SIM card assistance
- Accommodation with host family (single or dual occupancy) or volunteer house
- All meals (Authentic Indian meals) Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
- Resource materials to use on project
- Weekly market visit to shop for your necessities
- Cultural workshops: 1 Hindi class, 1 Indian dress workshop, 1 professional Yoga class, 1 cooking class
- Airport drop at Jaipur International Airport
- Logistics & program assistance if required
- Emergency support
Host family: Indian local family which is ready to receive you like a family member, share food and space with you. Chances of having single or dual occupancy are there as we don’t keep more than 3 people in one room in host families. Host family accommodation is best to discover the local culture and to enjoy tasty home-made Indian food. Food includes breakfast, lunch and dinner made by the host and includes vegetarian authentic dishes like chapatis, daal, vegetables.
Facilities include:
- Shared bedroom (max 2 people)
- Western washroom with toilet & shower
- Hot & cold water
- Filtered water
- Common Fridge
- Common semi-automatic washing machine
- Kitchen access to cook food if wished so
- Wi-Fi or internet Data access
- Family environment
- Comfortable & safe stay option
Volunteer House: This is a common accommodation for our foreign participants to share and experience each other’s culture as we have participants from all over the globe. To ensure understanding and security in this accommodation we have some basic rules to follow to make sure everyone is convenient here. Rules are no smoking inside the accommodation, no night outs, no outsiders allowed. Food in the volunteer house includes breakfast which is self-service (make your own coffee or tea, toast, oats), lunch and dinner are ordered by our coordinator staff with delivery from hygienic and decent restaurants or chefs. Food is vegetarian authentic meals like chapatis, daal, vegetables.
Facilities include:
- Gender based division of participants
- Rooms with max 4 people in
- Western toilets
- Shower
- Kitchen to cook
- Hot & cold water facilities
- Wi-Fi facility
- Semi-automatic washing machine
- Fridge
- Filtered water
- Hindi class
- Indian saree workshop
- Professional Yoga class
- Indian cooking class
- Air fare
- Visa
- Insurance
- Local transportation (mostly on walking distance or support from coordinators)
- SIM card
- Personal expenses
For costs and further details please contact us on info@stepbeyondborders.org