TOLFA Newsletter May 2007
Welcome to the first edition of our newsletter from the Tree of Life for Animals, a new and energetic grassroots organization working for animals in Rajasthan, India. Established just 2 years ago our mission is as follows:-
‘To foster kindness and compassion towards our fellow sentient beings through education of all aspects of animal welfare.
To provide rescue, treatment, care and rehabilitation to animals suffering from injury, disease, maltreatment or ill usage and to help try and eradicate those diseases such as Rabies that can be transmitted between animals and humans.
To empower and enrich the lives of local people particularly in impoverished rural areas by helping them to achieve a secure and sustainable future.
Our Staff and rescue vehicle
An Introduction from TOLFA’s founder, Rachel Wright
There is always immense pleasure in creating something from nothing and in the first 18 months since our humble beginnings, I am so proud of what all the people involved in the Tree of Life for Animals have achieved. I always knew that it would be incredibly difficult to establish an organization in a developing country, but I don’t think I quite realised HOW difficult it would be.
As with any new organization there has been both highs and unfortunately lows in our establishment. I will start with the lows so we can get them out of the way and onto the good stuff. I wouldn’t be portraying the full picture, if I didn’t mention that all we have achieved and created, has been done under the worst conditions. Unfortunately, a bad choice of a trustee in the initial stage, whose intentions were only for personal gain and far from honourable, meant that we have had to endure stops in construction, stealing of records, false media attention, legal actions being taken against us, threats to staff and misinformation being given to government officials. Not ideal when an organization is at such an embryonic stage in its development, but thankfully it has all worked in our favour.
Our philosophy throughout, was to just get on and do our work. Only through our actions could it be seen that what we are interested in, was offering love, compassion and practical solutions to animals that were suffering so much. There have been so many positives that have come from our struggles and in many ways I am happy that we have had to face them, because as the saying goes ‘What doesn’t beat you, makes you stronger’. When faced with adversity, it becomes a time to bond together and now all of the staff have such a close relationship, which has had a beneficial effect on our work. Without all the troubles we would not have met some of the fantastic locals that came out to support us.
Now onto the reason for our creation. To fulfill our mission we have started our work with the following projects:
(2) Neutering (Animal Birth Control) and Rabies vaccination Project
Our 4th project, the Education Project is still in the planning stage but we hope that it will be up and running very soon as we feel this will be fundamental to our work.
Our future is nothing but bright and I am hopeful that the worst is now behind us. The Tree of Life for Animals was borne from a passion for animals and a desire to improve their lives to the best of our ability and that will be what always drives our work forward.
Rachel Wright (Founder and Chairperson)
Our Staff
As always our fantastic staff are the sturdy foundation on which all our work is based. Over the past 18 months, we have grown from having 4 original staff to a dedicated and hard working team of 15, comprising of 2 Veterinary doctors, 6 trained compounders (equivalent of veterinary nurses), 2 trainee compounders, 3 ground workers, night guard and a contract driver for our rescue vehicle.
We have been so incredibly lucky to find 15 young Indian guys whose sole aim, is to build Tree of Life for Animals into an organization that can serve as many animals as possible. Each comes with their own unique strengths and specialities and one of the most amazing things about setting up the organization has been to be able to offer employment opportunities to those who are so willing to work, but live in a country where it can be so difficult to find a job.
Ramesh one of our trained Compounders
Launch of Project Raja Volunteer Scheme
Our Project Raja scheme has been designed to give all that participate in it a ‘once in a lifetime experience’. Working at our hospital is a million miles away from anything that we would encounter in a western country and we want to be able to share that opportunity with people who want to help make a difference in the world we live in.
It is a no lose opportunity…the animals benefit immensely from the hard work that is put in from the volunteers and from the £300 the volunteers are asked to raise before coming. Our staff enjoy the interaction between different people of different nationalities and each volunteer brings with them a unique energy that leaves its mark long after the volunteer has left. We hope that the volunteers will go home with a huge sense of achievement that they have participated in something truly worthwhile.
Read more about our Project Raja Volunteer Scheme and the experiences of our Previous volunteers
Veterinary Nurse Belle, one of our volunteers
The Evolution of our Hospital
Construction of our shelter began in May 2005 and has been ongoing ever since. In that 2 year period, we have built a large animal operating theatre, a prep room and small animal operating theatre, a 40 kennel block, puppy area, kitchen, office and small shade area for large animals. Our staff quarters and cow and donkey shade are underway.
We are immensely grateful to Mr Peter Maloney who sponsored the building of our small animal operating theatre in memory of his late wife Chantal who loved India and animals.
To the Animal Defence Trust who sponsored the building of our kennel block with a grant in 2005 and with a repeat grant in 2006, we were able to start the construction of our much needed office.
Mr Dushyant a local school teacher in India with a group of his friends managed to raise the funds needed to put a roof on our cattle shade which was work well done!
Read more about our ever changing hospital
Our completed kennel block and hospital
Fundraising
In September 2006, a team of willing ladies took part in the annual Hydroactive Womens 5km Challenge. Supporter and Australian veterinary nurse Belle Moran did an amazing job of organizing and got together a team of 15 girls that took part in the race in Hyde Park, London and 2 (one is our Managing Trustee, Kim) in Sefton Park Liverpool.
Between them, they managed to raise nearly £2000 in sponsorship. A very big thank you to Mel, Pam, Janet and friends from Bayswater veterinary clinic, Michelle and Chantelle from Hydrovet vet clinic, Isla, Mei Ying, Sarah Solmssen, Kim, Pauline, Jenny and Gaynor, Belle and Andrea from Abingdon vet clinic for taking part.
Read more about how you can Fundraise for us
Our supporters preparing to start the sponsored Womens Challenge in Liverpool, September 2006
Forging Links in our Local Community
Our aim is that we are of benefit to the local community as a whole. We can help provide potential job opportunities, a zoonotic disease free environment, provide humane education and so much more. We are working hard to form links with local schools and clubs, with local business people, and with other non government organisations who are working for the improvement of conditions for animals and people. By working together we can achieve even more.
We would like to thank Fior di Loto, an organization working with gypsy children who donated Rs 11,000 for Rabies vaccinations, Kendra Vidalya 2 School for their regular fundraising activities and all the hotels and shops in Pushkar who promote our project to tourists.
Read more about our links with the local community
Rachel receiving a presentation from the local school
Exciting Sponsorship Opportunities
Royal Canin Pet Foods
We are teaming up with Royal Canin lifestage diets as part of their corporate social responsibility in a new venture that has the potential to be a great fundraiser for us. Starting with 10 veterinary practices, for each bag of lifestage diet that the clinic sells, Royal Canin will donate 50p per bag to our charity.
Read more about the Royal Canin promotion
Our Webshops
We have affiliated with several online shops who will donate between 5% and 10% of any purchases made by our supporters through our website.
Read more about shopping online for TOLFA
In India
Two of our dedicated trustees in India, Mr Deepak Soni and Mr Kamlesh Khatri sponsor our work by donating a percentage of the profits from their clothing businesses. Mr Vivek Ganguly and his wife Sweata have provided sponsorship of our project in times of real need.
We will be emailing our newsletter 3 times a year. If you would like to receive future newsletters, please email the word “subscribe” to newsletter@tolfa.org.uk
