EDUCATION
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RAISING PUBLIC AWARENESS ACTIVITIES
TEACHING CHILDREN ABOUT ELEPHANTS
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The future of elephants is in the hands and minds of children. LEI has developed the Elephants Well Aware curriculum and five Lao elephant guides are teaching kids all over the northern region of the country about what constitutes ethical and humane care and treatment of elephants and how historically important they are to Lao people. This year we have conducted classes with more than 5,000 children of primary, secondary and high school age in 110 different classrooms in 38 different schools.
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MAKING AN ELEPHANT SONG FOR LAO PEOPLE
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Even though Laos is called Lan Xang - the land of a million elephants - it doesn’t have its own song about elephants. One of LEI’s class teachers has written a beautiful one. Called Anouluck Xang- or Save Our Elephants, the teachers have recorded it, it’s been professionally produced in Vientiane, people in Luang Prabang are sharing it and singing it, and radio is giving it play. The message? “We need everyone together to save elephants for Lao people. Let elephants always be with Lao people, so our country will always be shining.” Click here to hear the song and see the video:
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COMMISSIONING AND PUBLISHING ARTICLES ON ELEPHANTS
LEI has published several articles to help people understand more about elephants. Among them is an engaging and instructional piece with 10 questions to ask before patronizing an elephant center. Another focuses on efforts to establish a captive elephant project that is focused on the most ethical and humane care in eco-tourism today.​
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SPONSORING ENGAGING, EDUCATIONAL VIDEOS
WALKING EACH OTHER HOME
LEI has sponsored the production of ‘Walking Each Other Home.” This 25-minute film, produced by DiscoverHumanity, addresses some of the most common queries about Asian elephants. Featuring interviews with representatives from the World Wildlife Fund, World Animal Protection, MandaLao Elephant Conservation, and others, the intent is to provide perspectives from elephant experts and those who work directly with elephants.
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'Walking Each Other Home" was honored to be screened at the 2024 Denver Film Festival and received a very positive response from the audience. The film was followed by a Q&A, emceed by LEI Chairperson and Acting Executive Director, Caz Matthews.
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BOBO THE SURFING ELEPHANT