Making a big difference in small steps – this is Animalma. Also in 2023.
Dear Animalma family
It has been quiet here in the news section for a while, although a lot has happened since the end of last year and the beginning of 2023. I’m happy to give you, dear supporters, an update on what’s been going on.
8 years Animalma
On the 29th of October we celebrated Animalma’s 8th anniversary with a great food buffet, a sweet stall and a presentation of our history. It was just wonderful to spend the evening with you all – looking back and celebrating what we have achieved together for and in Bolivia.
I still think back to this event with a big smile on my face and want to thank everyone for being there. A special “Gracias” goes out to Ximena for her beautiful handicrafts and for managing the sales.
If you also want to remember this evening, you can do so through the following post:
Animalma was founded on the 22nd of October 2014 – so it was high time to finally celebrate our anniversary.
A large part of the Animalma family found their way to the youth club in Effretikon on the 29th October 2022 for the birthday party.
Going back home
In January I treated myself to a one month timeout in Costa Rica; a country well known for its high standards of animal welfare and nature conservation. It was fascinating to see how humans and animals coexist mostly peacefully next to eatch other – an achievement made possible by decent and free education, as well as strict laws and even stricter enforcement.
Relaxed and with new strength I headed on to Bolivia, where my friends and projects were waiting for me. With the donation pot as full as never before, I couldn’t wait to get it right there to the front where it belongs.
Here are the highlights made possible by your donations:
The most heartwarming donation…
…came from Anna, Finja, Iara and Kian. These four young animal welfarists were so inspired after the Animalma anniversary, that they started making handicrafts the day after and sold them in their neighbourhood.
They raised CHF 300, which I used to buy nappies, special milk powder and vitamins for the baby monkeys at Senda Verde Wildlife Refuge. These are vital but expensive items for the sanctuary and they were over the moon when I told them the story behind this very special donation.
This dedication deserves its own post: Little animal welfarists going big.
The most consistent support…
…keeps going on thanks to the Emergency Fund for Senda Verde and the refuge is very grateful for our continuous contribution to food and medical supplies for the animals.
Several individual and monthly donations added up to an amazing amout of CHF 1’000.- assisting with the daily care of the 1000 wild animals living at Senda Verde. We are keeping up this vital campaign:
#SOSSendaVerde – Emergency fund
Help the animal shelter Senda Verde through the afthermath of the Corona crisis.
The emergency fund helps to feed the 1000 wild animals of the refuge and gives them medical care.
The most innovative help…
…was made possible by our anniversary. I promised to donate a third of all donations to a conservation cause, and this came in the form of an accident and life insurance policy for the 27 park rangers working in Madidi National Park.
Since March, the rangers and their families will be taken care of in case of an accident or worse, which is a great relief in this high-risk job.
Only you, dear Animalma family, have made this huge milestone possible. Once again, there are no words to express the gratitude of the rangers, nor my own. So I’ll just say THANK YOU from the bottom of my heart.
This very special help has its own post too.
& also the most personal campaign…
…my yearly birthday appeal, goes to conservation. All your gifts in form of donations will help setting up a new fire prevention centre in Rurrenabaque. Perfectly located between the nature reserves Madidi, Pilon Lajas and the EBB, this project will provide a central storage and distribution point for fire-fighting equipment, as well as training for volunteer firefighters.
The volunteer journey
Next to all the miracles made possible by your support, there was another highlight waiting: the very first volunteer trip through Bolivia.
A small but powerful group of the Animalma family visited me in Bolivia and the two week journey was full of adventure and inspiration:
- We strolled through the lievely, colourful streets and markets of La Paz – at a leisurely pace due to the altitude.
- We cruised the Titicaca lake and followed the traces of the first Incas on the sun island.
- We stood in awe in the middle of the Uyuni salt flats, watching the stary night give way to a legendary sunrise.
- We visited the Bolivian Amazon rainforest, encountered sloths, primates and birds and listened to the wisdom of wonderful people, letting us know their culture.
- & we finished our trip by volunteering at Senda Verde, taking care of animals as diverse as Andean bears, butterflies, tapirs and various primates.
It was incredibe to show “my Bolivia” to my supporters and friends. Despite altitude sickness, countless mosquito bites and many hours on rocky roads, there was only one conclusion: Bolivia is amazing! & the whole “Team Bolivia” wants to go back one day – but for longer. 😊
Team Bolivia – The travel report
Here it is – the travel report of our very first volunteer trip. Find out more about the places we visited & get lost in the Bolivian feeling by browsing through the photo galleries.
& what’s next?
Once again this trip to Bolivia has strengthened me in my mission: Animalma makes a big difference in small steps. And we continue to do so – currently through the following campaigns:
#SOSSendaVerde – Emergency fund
Help the animal shelter Senda Verde through the afthermath of the Corona crisis.
The emergency fund helps to feed the 1000 wild animals of the refuge and gives them medical care.
Whether it is fighting and preventing forest fires, providing direct aid to frontline activists, or donating equipment to rangers in protected areas, we are working to protect Bolivia’s environment.
This vital work finally has its’ proper campaign site too, hopefully reaching even more supporters.
There will be another celebration of Animalma’s 9th anniversary in the autumn. It will most likely take place on the 11th of November – details to follow 😉.
Apart from that, 2023 has been declared a “cleanup year”. Overhauling the website, optimising the newsletter & flyer, creating a meaningful give-away and many more to-do’s and inspirations are waiting to be brought to life and finally get the space they need.
I wish you all a wonderful, relaxing summer and hope to see you all in autumn at the Animalma celebration at the latest. Thank you so much for your loyal support – it means the world to me! <3
Your Sarah
from Animalma