Wednesday 31 January 2018

Blog from Asia for Animals - Kathmandu December 2017

Judith Velarde of PAWS Philippines writes:

My trip to Nepal was awesome! I think this is one of the most exciting and at the same time productive as well as full of learning trip that I've ever had so far.

Before this conference, I don't know anything about Nepal before aside from the fact that they are the only country who doesn't have a rectangular flag. When our shelter director informed us about AFA Kathmandu, I am one of the first who expressed intention to join. But as the days goes by, I realized that it will be a long shot just because it was expensive.  Majority of us started to lose hope that maybe it will just be an unfulfilled dream. So we tried to look for sponsors. AFA committee were so accommodating and advised us to wait. As soon as the application for sponsorship came, we submitted our forms and wish that I'll one of those chosen ones. We waited, patiently. 

Good news came that all of us will received sponsorship for the conference and accommodation so all we need is an airfare and some pocket money. We started saving for trip.  Then another good news came in! I was chosen by JMICAWE to receive a travel scholarship and for that I really thanked them. It's an honor to be chosen amongst all the participants.

AFA Conference 2017 runs for 4 days from December 2 until 5.  This is where different organizations from across different countries provide talks and workshop evolving on changing human behavior which has and will have a great impact on the animal welfare world. Just being in that conference is a very up lifting. Seeing all those people with the same passion as you have is just really comforting.


Another highlight was the fieldtrip. We went to Chitwan National Park where we had an experience to walk with the elephants into the jungle and saw rhinos up close. It was very very surreal. No picture or video will bring justice as to how majestic and beautiful they are in the wild. It is just mesmerizing!

This conference is actually an eye opener that you are not alone in whatever battle you have. Somewhere out there, there is always someone fighting the same battle as you do. We may be far from really reaching our ultimate dream but take time to pause and celebrate our wins. May it be as simple as a senior dog getting adopted from a local shelter or as impactful as not a single rhinos was killed by the poachers in Nepal for the past 3 years. Animals can't talk but if they could, they would be thanking each and everyone of us in doing the things big or small that will protect them and would make their lives worthwhile.

Again, thanks for to JMICAWE for making this trip possible and I'm looking forward in joining the next AFA conference.

Judith and the other staff from the PAWS Shelter

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