It’s crazy to think about where I was one year ago. I was in my second semester of my senior year, frustrated and worried about my future. I had applied to several universities, and was starting to hear back, rejection and acceptance letters, and began to feel like I was being led down a path that didn’t feel right for me. It was my mom who actually suggested that I consider taking a year off, to take a break from the traditional education that I felt was being rushed upon me. One year ago, I would have never considered taking a gap year. Although it was an option, I had a small voice in the back of my mind telling me that it was unrealistic, and the thought of traveling for a year without any experience with it before was unnerving. After May 1st, the national day of college decisions, I decided to apply to be a student with Carpe Diem, one month later, I was accepted into their Latitudes program and was going to be a part of their South Pacific Semester.
I had the most incredible three months traveling in Australia, New Zealand and Fiji. I never thought I could feel that I had changed so much after that three month experience, but the change was dramatic. When I was leaving the States, I faintly remember how scared I was, overthinking every possible way that something could go wrong. By the end of those three months, I had gained a new perspective on those three countries, what it is like to travel in a group for three months, and a broader perspective of what I was truly capable of. I walked away from my first semester feeling prepared and excited to take on my FVP, no matter where I would end up.
I took a leap and decided that I wanted to spend my FVP volunteering at the Millennium Elephant Foundation in Sri Lanka, and I’m so happy that I took that chance.
Millennium Elephant Foundation is an elephant charity that was founded in 1999 to improve the lives of captive elephants in Sri Lanka, and give them a better life. Currently, MEF is home to seven elephants, 6 permanent residents and one partial resident. MEF pays the elephant owners around $1,000 a month so that the elephants are not used in worse off situations, like working in the logging industry or wearing the howdah.
I wake up each morning at 6:45, and am down cleaning my elephant’s daybed by 7. Once Rani, my elephant, comes down with her mahout, Chandana, I sweep off the bottom of her massive feet with a brush, then proceed to feed her vitamin balls. When that’s finished, she goes down to the river and I help Chandana give her a bath. When she’s finished in the river, it’s time for me to eat breakfast. Following breakfast, all of the volunteers head back to the elephant nightbeds, to clean up the area where our elephants spend their evenings and nights. Nightbeds are a process, and take about one hour to finish. We carry a broom, Dettol, and several large waterbottles down to clean the beds. We start by clearing whatever leftover food the elephant has left, making sure to collect any sticks or branches or anything sharp that might be in the bed. Then we move onto cleaning the concrete slab portion of the bed, where the elephant poos and does its business. Gloves on, we toss elephant dung off of the bed, collect more leaves, scrub it clean with water and sanitize it with Dettol. At that point, the bed is finished, unless the drain needs to be cleaned, which requires a hoe and a lot of stinky work. In the afternoons, we all go off and work on our personal projects. My personal project involves working with MEF’s social media, helping add content to their Facebook, Instagram and Twitter feeds. I love being able to help them out with this, especially because I get to take pictures of the elephants as a part of my job here. When I’m not busy with social media, I’m helping with other projects going on currently. I’ve helped in the eco garden, helped with painting projects, clearing an elephant pathway, recycling projects and anything else that needs to be done. I love that I’m able to be involved in so many things here, and that each of the volunteers can choose what they are passionate about and want to be involved with.
My work week is from Monday through Friday, which leaves my weekends open to explore the rest of the island country. I am so fortunate, MEF provides so many incredible opportunities to get away during weekends. I’ve spent my time off going dolphin watching in a small boat on the west coast, exploring national parks, living with host families just for a weekend, laid out on gorgeous beaches, and have made the best friendships. It’s hard to believe how quickly the time has gone by, while at the same time the days are long and very enjoyable.
I’ve absolutely fallen in love with my work as well as the people at the Millennium Elephant Foundation. When I first got here I really questioned whether I had picked the right FVP or not, and now I am certain that it all happened for a reason, I’m meant to be having this incredible experience right now. Although I am already planning my next trip back to this gorgeous country, I’m enjoying every last second I have here.
Here’s to taking a leap of faith that lead to the most incredible adventure. I’ll check in again right before I leave.
Claudia