Since the Covid-19 pandemic hit, it became clear that many mahouts had no alternative income to support their elephants and families. For decades, they had relied solely upon the tourist industry to survive, and with the decimation of tourism, had no way to support themselves financially. SEF immediately began hosting workshops throughout Thailand to teach mahouts and their families new skills that would allow them to earn an alternative income throughout the crisis and beyond. The workshops included developing skills such as painting, making jewelry, editing videos, and utilizing social media to help promote their work online. All of the products designed by the mahouts and their families are sold via our Elephant Emporium online store, Lazada, Shopee, and by our partners worldwide. RETRAINING & UPSKILLING WORKSHOPS
Each product sold not only helps to support the elephants and mahout families financially, but also gives them new skills that can provide an alternative source of income, independent from the tourist industry. Education and a diversified skill set are the best ways to help them survive the huge challenge that the Covid pandemic has presented. By facilitating these workshops and offering alternative financial support, many elephant keepers have been able to avoid the need to move their elephants into logging or street begging for an income. The workshops have allowed many elephant owners to become more self-sufficient, which helps to ensure the welfare of the elephants under their care.
Save Elephant Foundation Magazine 2022. 71
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