Orphaned elephants in South Africa need your help

Dear Friends,

Since our last report, the ladies at HERD elephant sanctuary have embarked on a new business venture: Orange juice making! Because of the funds we provided, they had the capacity to carry out their normal projects but also expand to this new product. A local farm in South Africa kindly donated oranges, which they juiced and sold to the local tourist lodges. A sweet and refreshing way to support themselves!

While this project may seem deliciously simple, the JabuLadies program makes a real difference in the lives of the 15 women who are part of it. In South Africa, 30-50% of people are unemployed, specifically women. Gendered expectations on women pressure them to stay home and care for their families, limiting their ability to earn a living wage. 

In South Africa, people are often driven to poach endangered African Savanna elephants because they need the income. However devastating elephant poaching is, it is an avenue for families to earn money for food, shelter, and to send their children to school. Poaching is the reason why the HERD elephant sanctuary exists; when elephant mothers are killed by hunters, their babies are left extremely vulnerable. They need protection and guidance to learn how to survive in the wild. By creating jobs caring for the orphaned baby elephants, we are building a holistic solution—both reducing the need for communities to poach, and saving the babies left behind. 

Jabulani is the elephant that the JabuLadies program is named after. He was rescued in 1997 as a four month-old calf, meaning that he is now nearly 30 years old! He is an example of the impact made on the elephants when sustainable livelihoods and conservation are intertwined. He is happy and healthy, 30 years after being found stuck in mud, all alone.

Donate today to support this initiative that is protecting baby elephants, one job at a time.

Many thanks,

Libby Henrickson