Tripping

So happy the Abbott accepted my application - I really did not expect it!

Thats right I am off to volunteer at the Tiger Temple or to give it its proper name, 'Wat Pa Luangta Bua Yannasampanno Forest Monastery'. A Buddhist Monastery, Tiger Sanctuary and Charity in Thailand. The Abbot, Pra Acharn Phusit (Chan) Kanthitharo, has been looking after, sick, abandoned, lost and injured local wildlife for about ten years now with the assistance of his monks and volunteers. Animals include Peacocks, Boar and Chickens.

The animals that have made the Temple famous however are the indochinese tigers, some 16 of them are at the sanctuary. A seriously endangered species. Current estimates are that there are only 1050-1750 of these animals left in the wild. They are illegally poached, with most of the stock going to chinese doctors for traditional medicines.

The Temple grounds are open to visitors who can come and even interact with these magnificent animals. I however am not going as a day-tripper or volunteer-for-a-fortnight, I plan to spend 6 months there dedicating myself to the fantastic work already done in the name of the tigers.

At this moment in time my plans for work there are:

- work in the husbandry of the tigers
- Run daily free English classes for monks and others
- Perform whatever tasks are asked of me by the management
- Acquire essential learning/educational tools for staff and visitors
- Raise awareness of the Temple and its work
- Raise funds for future conservation and development

This of course is all subject to change according to what is wanted, required, allowed, desired, popular, important, etc.

Jumping the gun slightly I have setup a wishlist on Amazon. I would like to get a library together for the volunteers and staff at the sanctuary. Primarily I would like access to most of these books to help educate myself for my work there. In addition it would be good to have things to help educate the children that visit.

I love books, I believe words are incredibly important, the internet is incredible but books especially in a place like the temple are essential.

The link:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/registry/wishlist/102-8001198-7972925

Some more ramblings..

Whilst I imagine I will be pre-occupied with menial day to day tasks whilst at the temple, my aim is to raise the $100,000 they (The Temple) need to complete the 'moated tiger enclosure' and new visitors centre. An island within the current sanctuary for the tigers to ensure they are away from cages 100% of the time and have a more natural habitat.

I have lots of ideas I would like to discuss with the team at the Temple/Sanctuary. I hope to utilise the experience gained managing the online fundraising project for UK Youth http://www.ukyouth.org.uk that raised over 20,000 Pounds in a few short weeks several years ago.

Random fundraising thoughts: Tiger Sponsors, Celebrity Tiger Ambassadors, Grants from foundations, Online Auction, London Society Ball, Corporate Sponsors, Merchandising, Affliations, Paid Training, Books, eBooks, Reports, Childrens Books

RELATED LINKS
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indochinese_Tiger
http://www.tigertemple.org/Eng/
http://www.savethetigerfund.org/