Centrifuges, microscopes and slides–OH MY!

We have accomplished so much! I hope you all realize what an important part you’ve played in this journey.

Now I need to ask for your help again. The orphanage construction is almost complete, and we have just a few more major things to purchase before we can finally settle down and meet an operating budget that doesn’t include major capital costs. (Well, I’m sure I will always have major things to do, but for now at least, we still need some essentials for the base facility.) On our list are some appliances not only for our team members but also for our little elephants, and furniture for the staff.

Our biggest need, though, is for a lab so that our vet can perform simple tests (such as blood, urine and fecal tests) for our little orphans. Right now we have to send out the samples, and it just takes too long to get the results—often rendering them useless. We have to know the health conditions of our orphans in real time so that we can know how to effectively treat them, not just play guessing games. Having a lab on-site will make a huge difference in our rescue success rate.  You can help now.

With the help of a generous benefactor, we have already paid for scales to weigh the elephants, so that part of the lab is covered. Our Dallas zoo is helping source the equipment and has provided guidance as to exactly what devices are needed in order to perform these basic tests.

This is where you come in. We could really use some financial assistance with this project. The lab will cost approximately $15,000. We could even give a donor naming rights! Wouldn’t it be great to have a lab for orphaned elephants named after your family or loved one? Please call me at (+1) 972-620-2523 or email me if you are interested in underwriting the lab in your or someone else’s name.

We’ll have a grand opening in the next few months, and I know we will start having lots of visitors—the demand for something for locals and tourists to do in Maun is steadily increasing.

Scott and I have arranged to pay the final construction costs, utilities and solar equipment for the elephant housing expansions, elephant offices and kitchen, staff village, human kitchen, reception area, public bathrooms and a main building for meetings, education and group events, but we simply do not have the resources to pay for everything that is still needed. Please know that we are so grateful for every donation we’ve received—any amount makes a difference.

Please let me know if you have any ideas to help us raise these much-needed funds or, if you can, make a donation. As always, if you have any questions about the orphanage or foundation we are here and happy to answer them.

With gratitude,
Debra Stevens and Scott Jackson