The global movement known as Giving Tuesday was an especially happy one for the Hoedspruit Elephant Rehabilitation and Development (HERD) team as people from around the world helped them raise well over half a million rand.
Hoedspruit, South Africa (05 December 2024) — Every year, Giving Tuesday comes around as a way for people to kickstart the season of giving by giving back to charities that are close to their hearts. For the Hoedspruit Elephant Rehabilitation and Development team, it was an especially happy Tuesday as the world gathered to support their mission in abundance, providing them with a trunk of hope.
The HERD Trust supports 16 elephants. 11 are orphans who lost their first families, typically due to poaching cases. The other elephants are the offspring of the rescued ellies. Through the HERD system, these orphans were able to be rehabilitated, raised, cared for and ultimately connected to a new family and herd, one made up of incredible survivors who get to live out their days as they should—wild and free.
Like humans, elephants need families to survive and flourish. Where some humans cause tragedy for the elephant survival system, the HERD humans ultimately repair the damage.
It’s a mission that has touched many people’s hearts. Some elephants have even had books written about their inspiring stories, like Khanyisa the albino ellie. The team’s fight for as many elephant success stories is unwavering, and thanks to Giving Tuesday they’ve got a lot of support to keep fighting forward.
The HERD team shared that they were able to raise an impressive $38,207 (well over half a million rand) to support all of their projects; a real trunk of the most precious treasure—kindness.
“This funding is what keeps us operational month to month, so we are able to care for the elephants and their home in the wild,” the team said.
“Thank you for helping to make this mission possible.”
by 