A woman from Pembroke will be travelling to South East Asia next year to take part in an important sustainable community development and elephant rehabilitation project.

Laos’s Elephant Conservation Centre and local village schools are set to have another pair of hands at work, as Claire Edwards from Hundleton will embark on a unique Volunteer Eco Students Abroad (VESA) volunteer eco-tour.

Claire will be travelling to Laos in July 2018 to participate in the project and complete essential volunteer work.

She will play a key role in establishing a new era for conservation of the Asian elephant, and will get up close and personal with many of the majestic residents of the Elephant Conservation Centre, a rehabilitation, research and breeding facility which also has a purpose built hospital dedicated to elephant rescued from the logging trade and promotes responsible tourism.

Riding elephants to and from their jungle bedroom and helping with calves in the elephant nursery are just a couple of ‘perks’ Claire will enjoy as part of her volunteering. She will also assist in the veterinary clinic, viewing platform maintenance plus works on new infrastructure projects.

“VESA and I will work in conjunction with the Elephant Conservation Centre in Sayaboury and in the local schools,” explained Claire.

“The project will help to facilitate the means for implementing a major community development project which will encompass construction in addition to educating the community on matters of conservation, sustainability, health/hygiene and English proficiency.

“The costs of the project are significant and include hiring local skilled trades people to supervise and assist in the building projects, building materials and donations to local organizations. Every volunteer will complete a minimum of 40 hours of hands on community based volunteer work.

“This is a once in a lifetime opportunity for me to make a difference donating my time and energy into volunteering overseas this summer,” continued Claire.

Anyone able to sponsor Claire can contact her via email at: [email protected] or to donate to this meaningful project there is a a gofundme page at: www.gofundme.com/vesa-volunteer-work-in-se-asia

“If you are able to help, even in the smallest way it would be greatly appreciated,” she added.