Malaysia and Thailand Winter 2008-9

Jan 2009

My sister asked me about the other volunteers and I realized more people might be curious about all the other people who are spending time helping at the Wildlife Rescue Center.

There are people from all over the world: The Netherlands, USA, Canada, Germany, Switzerland, UK (Britain and Scotland), Finland, Sweden, Denmark, France, NZ, Spain and Argentina.

Yes, the average age is 20-something but there are several of us in the "mature" category. Ray currently holds the title of Elder Male but Ronald, from the Netherlands on his sixth visit as a volunteer, is a close second. There are a few other woman besides me in the 60 plus category. Women outnumber the men about 4 to 1, but everyone has been getting along very well, regardless of gender or age.

Ron feeding the dogs

Tom cleaning the bird perch

Besides Ronald, there are several repeat volunteers and others who keep extending their stay. This is difficult. If you fly into Thailand you only get a 30 day Visa. Extensions for 15 days can be arranged by leaving Thailand by land for Myanmar or Cambodia but that means time consuming and expensive trips. A longer stay must be arranged in your home country and even then, a Visa must be extended every three months.

January, July and August are the most popular months for volunteers. January is popular because the Christmas season has finished in other countries and people are looking forward to a warmer climate plus Aussie students are also on their long Summer vacation. July and August are vacation periods for UK, North American and European students. This January there have been between 27 and 36 volunteers at the center. There have been as few as 8 or 10 volunteers in the shoulder months. I am told it is a madhouse then as everyone must work right through the day with few breaks to get all the essential tasks completed (i.e. feeding the animals). The extras and special projects must be left until there are more volunteers.

Pizza night at the center

A photo op before heading off for an excursion

Emma and Simon, both from the UK, have been permanent employees for the last 1 1/2 and 2 years, respectively. Both started as volunteers and just stayed on. Emma is the volunteer coordinator and Simon handles special projects and new construction. Lucy, an Aussie Vet Nurse, is now at the Center indefinitely. Cheryl, a Surgical Vet from Australia has returned full time with her American husband Mat, whom she met at the Center two years ago.

Of course there is the founder Edwin Wiek, from the Netherlands, and his partner Noi, who live on site. Their extensive Thai and International connections are invaluable to the organization.Most of us have learned to say “Hello” and “Thank you” in Thai but that is about the extent of our Thai. Very few of the Thai staff speak English so the fluent Thai of both Edwin and Noi are essential to the operation and relations with the Thai community.

Only Thai employees get to feed Miao

The permanent Thai employees are essential to the running of this large operation. They prepare our excellent meals, do necessary repairs and new construction, bring in supplies, clear land for new enclosures amongst other duties. Several have become expert in handling the animals and we depend on them to feed the more dangerous ones.

Some volunteers only sign up for one week. In those cases, they work with the Elephants as the Thai mahoots have the first line care of the elephants and the cores done by the volunteers are easily learned. Volunteers staying two or more weeks work with the other animals but you can arrange to spend some of your volunteer days with the elephants. Ray and I didn’t take advantage of that option but we spent part of a day off accompanying the Elephants and their volunteers.

Ray and I highly recommend volunteering at the Wildlife Rescue Center. If any of you are interested, look up the website at http://www.wfft.org/ and send them an email.