IT’S BEEN TWENTY YEARS!
I am sitting here, high up in our world famous treehouse, looking out at twenty two elephants grazing peacefully. The gentle sounds of ears flapping and tails swooshing, is only interrupted by the birds. These elephants are safe. They are free and as I watch them walk through their forest, my heart is filled with gratitude, relief, pride and joy.
I am also slightly bewildered - today marks twenty years of BLES - how is that possible??
On this day, twenty years ago, we hired an excavation truck and started creating what we thought would be a little retirement home for the elephants already living in our local community.
We had 10 acres of land and three elephants - Pang Tong (Boon Lott’s mother), Somai (the bull who had been caught in a forest fire) and Seedor Yai (the bull who was being worked to death).
Me and my Thai family worked from sunrise to sunset planting trees, digging wells, erecting power poles, building houses for the mahouts and their families and digging ponds.
You see, we really had to do everything from scratch. There was nothing on the land we had purchased. It was a blank canvas and we worked tirelessly to turn the dream of a young British girl, into a reality.
I remember those early days vividly. I was so young and couldn’t quite believe that this community had taken me in so wholeheartedly. They adopted me! They housed me, fed me, put up with my terrible Thai… They saw something within me and believed in me.
I would often wonder why? I was the first caucasian person this village had ever seen and I didn’t just come and go - I moved my entire life to this rural village in the middle of Thailand and you know what? Despite all the heartbreak and heaviness I have endured throughout the years, I have never looked back. I knew this was my home. It was where I belonged and most importantly, it was exactly where I wanted to be.
Twenty years ago, we didn’t have Facebook or Instagram. There was no running water, let alone working wifi! But what we did have was each other. We cooked together at the end of every gruelling day and by the light of the stars and a small fire, we would enjoy simple meals, a few shots of locally made whiskey, songs, stories and non stop friendly banter and then, eventually fall asleep. No houses, no tents or mosquito nets - just a bamboo mat and a bonfire to keep us and our dogs safe throughout the nights.
Twenty years on and so much has changed. Yet, so much is still the same…
Many faces have come and gone over the past two decades. All of them my friends that I think of as family - elephants, dogs, cats, included. Every single one loved deeply and missed indefinitely by me. Those of you who know me will know that’s what I do - I love. I love life, I love living and I love you.
One the past two decades, BLES has protected more than 600 acres of forest for the elephants. We have rescued an impressive 48 elephants to date and currently provide the highest standard of care possible, to our 22 rescued elephants.
In a county where elephants have historically been used for labour and entertainment, BLES has played a pivotal role in raising public awareness. We have opened doors for elephant owners to do better by their elephants and educated travellers about more humane experiences that prioritise welfare. More people now seek ethical elephant experiences, understanding that elephants do not need or want tourist to bath or feed them - they are perfectly able to take care of themselves!
Observational only opportunities are the way forward and BLES has been a prominent part of this movement from the get go.
BLES is also home to 12 dogs, 34 cats, 15 tortoises, 3 boars and a crocodile - all of them saved and loved by the BLES Family.
I could write on and on about the highs and lows of sanctuary life, but I’m afraid this well intentioned blog would evolve in to a full on novel that no one would want to read!
So, let me find a way to sum up everything that is whirling around in my head…
…THANK YOU…
It might sound feeble, but I honestly cannot think of a better way to express the mix of emotions flooding out of my heart right now. Twenty years is a huge milestone and one that you have helped us reach. You have stood by me, through the test of time, through impossible times and lifted me up. You are not just followers of a Facebook page - you are family. You are so appreciated and I will never stop telling you all that!
BLES started off as nothing more than a dream. It was a vision I had and then, when Boon Lott died in my arms, it became my promise to him. I gave Boon Lott my word that the world would know his name.
BLES then became my purpose. I worked three jobs and sold all of my belongings. I stood outside train stations shaking a bucket, I wrote articles for local newspapers. I gave speeches to Rotary Clubs, hosted assemblies and everything I could think of, until BLES was a possibility!!
And now, BLES is everything I had envisioned and so much more!
On a personal level, BLES is my apology to the elephants. It is my way of showing them how deeply sorry I am for everything they have been subjected to by us humans.
BLES is a movement gaining momentum and reach, with every passing day.
BLES is a reminder that community can change the world for the better.
BLES is a home - a safe space that emanates inclusivity and unconditional kindness.
BLES is a family - and you are all considered a part of our family - whether you want to be or not!!
BLES is proof that love always wins in the end.
So, please join me - raise a glass of whatever tickles your fancy (for me, it is a large mug of sleepy tea!) and celebrate twenty eventful years of being BLESsed xx
Trunks of Thanks for your Support xx