8 years Animalma

8 years Animalma

All our dreams can come true, if we have the courage to pursue them.

Animalma was founded on the 22nd of October 2014 – so high time to finally celebrate our annivesary. A huge part of the Animalma family found their way to the youth club in Effretikon on the 29th of October 2022 for the birthday bash.

We’ve cheered at the bar, tasted delicious Bolivian and international meals, shopped for a good cause at the sales booth and throughout the location one could discover big and small milestones of our associations’ history.

The “party room” was packed when Sarah held her presentation. She took the 50 people – longtime and new donors, friends & family, animal welfare buddies, Bolivians and Swiss all mixed up – on a journey. A very personal journey of all the people, who have been part of her way, who have inspired and strengthened her.
As a highlight, Sarah sang her new song “From the woods” – a call for humanity to protect the forest of this world – for the very first time publicly.

It was an amazing evening filled with inspiring and touching conversations and encounters. And it turned into just another milestone in the history of Animalma. The buffet, bar, sales booth and donation box & online presence all added up to a staggering amount of CHF 3’000.- in donations. They will be used one third each for Senda Verde, nature conservation effort in Bolivia and the growth of Animalma as an association. THANK YOU all so much!

A very special THANKS goes to

  • Ximena for her handicraft efforts and managing the sales booth
  • Andrea, Chanti, Rahel, Je und Mirj for helping with the setup, behind the bar and taking care of the dog
  • Fany and Alba for the Bolivian dishes
  • & of course everyone else cooking and baking in for the buffet

We at Animalma are filled with joy, pride and love looking back to this event and therefore finish this article with a gallery filled with the most beautiful moments of our anniversary.

Animalma anniversary – the gallery

Summer newsletter 2022

Summer newsletter 2022

Making a big difference in small steps – this is Animalma.

Dear Animalma-Family

I am so happy to finally write this newsletter for you. It is full of pictures of my Bolivia trip from February / March and will show you what your help has achieved on site and what we have made possible during this year. We also have a peek what the future holds and I have fantastic news! But let’s take it step by step…

La Senda Verde

Our heart project is now home to 950 animals – every week, new victims of wildlife trafficking arrive at the shelter. Tourism is only recuperating slowly, international visitors and volunteers are still scarce. All the more reason to be happy and proud, that I arrived with CHF 1’000.- in donations to help out our wildlife family and that another CHF 350.- came in during my stay. Vicky’s words “You’ve saved us” symbolize the harsh situation Senda Verde is still facing.

The enclosure for the howler monkeys is finished and the youngsters are enjoying this save space and especially its’ height. The caretakers are also very happy about the easier and safer management.

A huge THANK YOU to all the supporters of both campaigns; the following video is for you:

PS: For once the shelter was busy as a bee hive when I arrived in February. The famous photographer Nick Brandt and his massive crew were at Senda Verde for a whole month. The results are absolutely stunning and the big hope of Vicky and Marcelo to spread their message internationally and receive more support. You can check out his amazing work here.

My first conclusion: Our emergency fund is still vital – we keep on pushing it!

#SOSSendaVerde – Emergency fund

Help the animal shelter Senda Verde through the Corona crisis. The emergency fund helps to feed the over 950 wild animals of the refuge and gives them medical care.

Ranger style

I travelled on to visit the rangers of the Beni nature reserve.

They proudly showed me the petrol they’ve purchased thanks to our turtle adoption program from last year. We enabled them to patrol within their protected area for two whole months.

Adopt a turtle now and support nature conservation in Bolivia.

There was a small donation in my bag pack from another turtle donation, but I was wondering what we could acutally achieve with CHF 40.-… Do you know what? Quiet a lot – like fixing two motorbikes and treat the 7 horses of the camp El Porvenir against parasites and with vitamine B!

Conclusion #2: No donation is too small to spark a miracle!

Before I left, an anonymous birthday donation refilled the petrol reserve of the Beni rangers. There are no words which would truly do justice to describe the greatfulness of the people on-site. All I can say is, that I’m completely enchanted every time I can help directly, specifically and exactly when it is needed.

Thank you for your trust, thank you all for your valuable support!

In love with Madidi

I did it – I’ve realized my dream of going into the Bolivian Amazon! It was magical, adventurous, wild, enchanting… and unsettling.

I was standing under trees that are more than 300 years old – mighty beings full of wisdom, which put us humans back in our place and make our megalomania disappear for a moment. Seeing my first howler monkey in the wild made me tear up; on one hand out of pure happiness and humility. On the other hand because I knew during this whole trip that illegal gold mining further up the river is destroying all the stunning nature around me.

The Madidi National Park is the protected area with the highest biodiversity worldwide and it is getting destructed right now in front of our eyes out of greed for money. This disaster accompanied me during my whole stay in Bolivia and hit me hard. So I posted about it, I wrote to let the grief out, I gave a little interview within my beloved Madidi and I was able to push this topic through my journalist friend Edwin… but I honestly still stand puzzled in front of this massive disaster.


Thanks from the heart to everyone who donated to my guerilla campaign for the Madidi. Part of your help supported people fighting at the forefront, the rest is still waiting to hit the miners where it hurts the most.

I got to know the Madidi rangers during my trip and am pleased that we could bring back light and power to the checkpoint “El Bala”, thanks to another donation. Three new batteries put the existing solar panels back up and running and provide electricity for the rangers, making their vital work a whole lot easier for the next two years. Thank you Fabian!

So what’s the main conclusion of my journey?

Small good deeds can have a massive impact, especially when carried out right on the spot.
As valuable as the monetary worth and their effects is the moral support for the animal rights activists and nature conservationists on the forefront receiving our help.

They are moved profoundly that there are people in faraway Switzerland caring about Bolivia and engaging in their mission. Knowing this gives them willpower, hope and new courage to continue their fight.

What happened since

Even though it was quiet around Animalma on the outside, a lot of stuff has happened since I’m back in Switzerland:

  • We sent another donation through the Emergency fund to Senda Verde and are continuously supporting the primary care of the wildlife shelter.
  • Thanks to the purchase of the firefighting equipment last year, we set the base to connect the company KPN with the Beni rangers. Together they organised a course in preventing & controling forest fires for the park rangers of different protected areas, voluntary firefighters & indigenous communities in June.
  • We’ve received a generous donation and already used part of it for more firefighting equipment for the rangers. The rest of the money is ready immediately, if the situation literally gets heated up and emergency relief to combat wildfires is needed. We are in the middle of the dry season in Bolivia and dry season means slash-and-burn season…

Become part of our story / Forecast

If you have read until this very line (sorry my newsletter always get longer as expected), you are probably feeling a certain fascination for Bolivia and / or Animalma’s work. Become part of our story…

Volunteer trip 2023

What started as a crazy idea back in 2020 and was on hold during Corona now becomes reality! From end of February until mid March I am organising the very first volunteer journey to Bolivia. Get to know Senda Verde, the rangers and the stunning Bolivian nature. Let yourself get charmed, inspired and maybe even healed… 😉

I will be your tourguide and together we are going to travel through my spirit home, help out in different projects and also just enjoy the South American vibe and adventure.
If you want to join, write me an e-mail to info@animalma.org.

It’s Animalma’s birthday

Animalma turns 8 years old in October and I want to use this opportunity to celebrate with all of you and finally bring the Animalma-family together again. Location and program are still wide open, but please already book Saturday 29th of October 2022.

Ideas / Inputs needed

Of course you can actively support me and Animalma from Switzerland aswell. Right now I’m looking for:

  • Someone who loves research and would check a little list of laws so I can import the famous Madidi coffee and wild bee honey from Bolivia.
  • Creative hands crafting goods with donated materials to be sold before Christmas.
  • People who want to support the bday bash (location hint, behind the bar, with food or a stunt for everyone…)
  • Cool ideas for merchandising products. An association-bound donation is waiting for a while now to be put to use for sustainable goodies. Let me know your inputs in the comment section below or via info@animalma.org.

I always appreciate feedback and ideas from the Animalma family on how we can spread our message even further and increase our impact.

Nevertheless, I want to finish this newsletter with the insight sticking with me the most from my last journey:

In small steps we are making a big difference for the animals, people and nature on the ground. Thank you to each and every donor – you make all of this possible!

Your Sarah from Animalma

Light for the Madidi

Light for the Madidi

We help the green heroes, the rangers of the protected areas, in Bolivia – for example with batteries for the solar system of a checkpoint.

The checkpoint “El Bala” is located about one hour upstream in the Madidi National Park. A simple hut serves as both workplace and accommodation for the park rangers. They control the boats going in and out of the nature reserve and guard the national park.

For more than a year, the checkpoint had no electricity because the batteries of the solar system stopped working. As a result, the rangers had no light during their 20-day missions. They used power banks to charge their GPS devices.

Thanks to a donation from a zookeeper-friend and a contribution from Sarah, we were able to fund three batteries and their transport to El Bala. The checkpoint and its rangers now have power for the next two years.

Thank you dear Fabian for your renewed support – it effectuated a small big miracle in Bolivia!

The miracle as a video

The mircale in pictures

The miracle on social media

Chao 2021 and hello 2022

Chao 2021 and hello 2022

All pictures in this Newsletter have been taken by Noelia Chalfoun – She’s been working for Senda Verde for a few months and takes the most amazing portraits. Thank you Noelia!

Dearest Animalma-Family

As president of Animalma I want to wish you a wonderful 2022 this way and hope that all of you have started this year well.

I’m already in the finishing touches of planning my next trip to Bolivia. On the 4th of February I’ll be visiting my second home for five weeks. Prior to this I don’t want to miss my chance to show you our Animalma projects in this newsletter.

End of year = annual accounts

Accounting is not my favourite thing in the world. I’m all the more proud, when I can see all donation numbers clearly in our annual accounts.

These are my highlights; all of which have only been possible through your donations and support.

CHF 2’300.- have gone into the emergency account #SOSSendaVerde. These funds have helped with the daily food supply and primary care for our wildlife.

The new enclosure for the howler monkeys has finished construction at the end of 2021- thanks in part to the Animalma-Family, which has donated CHF 1’500 for this cause.

I’ll be able to supply pictures and videos of their new home after I return from Bolivia.

Our first step towards nature conservancy has been a success! CHF 2’600.- have been used at the following fronts:

CHF 500.- have been used to send Senda Verde’s Vet onto an emergency visit to the fire areas in Otuquis.

The group built an emergency enclosure for injured animals, and made sure there were plenty of wateringholes for the surviving animals- the most important immediate measures after the flaming hell they endured.

The Parkrangers from the reserve Beni now have basic firefighting equipment which we brought directly to them.

With the money from the Turtle-adoption we bought gas with which the rangers will be able to go on patrol through the reserve all through February.
Costs: CHF 225.-

The club treasury has also gotten many donations. For the first time ever I was able to cover all fixed costs with these donations – and there is still money left which will be used for merchandising for Animalma! ROAR

Thank you so much for all your donations – your help is arriving in Bolivia and is making a huge change!

Outlook 2022

From the beginning of February until the mid of March im in Bolivia. Besides visiting Senda Verde, I’ll also be visiting the rangers in the Beni reserve.

In addition to that I will fulfil one of my biggest dreams and I’ll be visiting one of the deepest parts of the amazon rainforest – the Madidi National park. One of the highest biodiversity in the world awaits me, which is sadly, currently being destroyed by deforestation, overexploitation and illegal trade of wild animals.

The topic of re-release of all challenges that come with that is constantly on my mind. They’ll be my constant companion on my what I call “research-trip”.

I’m so very excited for this new adventure and all the inspiration I will take back home with me. These will be the driving-force behind Animalma for 2022. As soon as I am back I will share all my experiences with you.

If you would like to donate anything for Bolivia that I can take with my on my trip, then these are your options:

A financial donation for the emergency account #SOSSendaVerde, which will help the animals of Senda Verde through the still ongoing Corona crisis.

A donation for the nature of Bolivia; you could either adopt a turtle, in which case the money will go to the rangers, or donate through our website with the purpose of “firefighting”. With this we will be able to have preventative measures for the next fire season in place.

I’m looking forward to an exciting 2022 with Animalma and with you. Stay healthy, take are and hasta luego!

Your Sarah

November newsletter: the travel report

November newsletter: the travel report

Dear Animalma family

“So how was it in Bolivia?” I’ve got asked many times over the past weeks. I’d love to answer with a simple “Awesome!”, but the honest answer is…

It was wonderful and devastating at the same time, with light and heavy moments…and as always, Bolivia was deeply inspiring.

It was wonderful to

Arrive at Senda Verde and see all those beautiful faces again – animal and human one’s of course.

Bring your donations directly and see their impact with every feeding time (thanks to the Emergency fund) and to observe the construction work for the nursery cage.

Get onto my mission “Matafuego” (Firefighting): I brought backpack pumps, fire extinguishers and breathing masks to the park rangers of the Beni station, thanks to my Swiss supporters. And I had the unique chance to accompany the rangers on their everyday work within their protected area – an unforgettable experience.

Another part of the donations enabled a veterinary from Senda Verde to go into the Otuquis national park. She was able to build a temporary cage for hurt animals as well as setting up much needed water stations throughout the burnt down areas.

Devastating because…

Due to the travel restrictions, there are nearly no volunteers at Senda Verde, who help with the care of the 900+ animals. It is the permanent workers facing this tough job every day for over 1.5 years now.

International tourism is still at a low point and the daily tours at the shelter are only booked on the weekends. Senda Verde is still far away from covering their daily costs through this income like they did before the pandemic.

Bolivia’s forests and their inhabitants are in a deep predicament; they are burnt down on a large scale to make space for the farming of cattle. Their ressources are extracted legally and illegaly – also in protected areas.

Also wildlife refuges, animal welfare activists and conservastionists in general face an extremely complex and difficult political situation. I felt fear and uncertainty, deep sorrow but also again and again hope and militancy.

And because of that, it was often light as a feather when…

I talked with old and new friends about Animalma, animal welfare, conservation and Bolivia in general. Feeling a deep connection while philosophizing about a better world for everyone.

The newly arrived baby Andean bear cuddled up in my lap, giving me all his trust when holding his afternoon nap on top of me.

One feels the travel spirit of limitless freedom, being completely alive with every fiber of your body and feeling right at home despite of the distance.

I walked with Ralph the “problem dog” through the lush green hills of the Yungas.

You fall into your bed tired but completely satisfied after a day in nature, caring for animals and doing research about the things that truly matter to you.

It was especially heavy to see that

Senda Verde is still in survival mode due to the lack of volunteers and tourists.

Additional wild animals arrive daily at the refuge – taken from nature by poachers, confused and at the end of their strength, being victims of illegal trafficking which destroys a little bit of nature’s balance with every animal taken from the wild.

Bolivia’s protected areas with their stunning biodiversity and indigenous people are a hassle to the government, as they just want to profit from these natural ressources. And that people who stand up against them have to be worried about their own safety.

But despite of the emotional rollercoaster, true inspiration prevails. I am inspired to

Keep pushing the Emergency fund for Senda Verde until tourism is back to normal. And to give the Howler campaign another last push to get the finishing touches inside the cage done.
Please share the following campaigns again over the next few weeks (“Christmas time is donation time!”):

#SOSSendaVerde – Emergency fund

Help the animal shelter Senda Verde through the Corona crisis. The emergency fund helps to feed the over 900 wild animals of the refuge.

Howl of help from the Howlers

The construcction of a nursery cage for the young Howler monkeys living at Senda Verde

Realise my idea of doing a yearly volunteer trip to Bolivia. Who is with me? The next adventure will be around February / March 2022. After that, the next chance to travel with me as your guide to Bolivia will be between January and March 2023. Details follow…

Set up a comprehensive campaign for the rangers and their protected areas and therefore doing the first step into nature conservation. Let’s take this first step today with a mini-campaign:
Until the end of November you can adopt turtles from the Beni region. To protect the eggs from being sold as food, the rangers have rescued them and put them safely on an artificial beach. Now the turtles are hatching and will be released back into the wild at the end of November. All the donations go to supporting the work of the park rangers and will have a real impact on the protection of the Beni region. Adopt your bunch of turtles today for only CHF 1.50 each:

Adopt a turtle

Support the rangers doing their vital conservation work by adopting a turtle. The donations go directly to preserve the protected area Reserva de la Biosfera Estación Biologica del Beni.

To finish it up

I look back on three intense weeks and am so greatful for this time spent in my second home. I feel deeply connected to Bolivia, its’ nature, animals and people – they are part of me and I am committed to keep standing up for them. I want to use this moment to give:

A huge THANK YOU to each and every donor!
You make my conservation work possible,
you all are my heroes!

Because pictures say more than words, I leave you with a gallery full of my favourite moments of this journey. See for yourself how our help arrives – it is truly beautiful. And who knows, maybe it inspires you to join me on my next adventure. 😉

Bolivia 2021 in pictures

Enjoy the gallery, have a wonderful festive season and I hope to have you back here for the next newsletter!

Your Sarah

Spur-of-the-moment-newsletter September 2021

Spur-of-the-moment-newsletter September 2021

All eyes on Bolivia – Bolivia in our hearts

Dearest Animalma-family

I’m travelling to Bolivia on the 22nd of September to visit our heart project, the wildlife refuge Senda Verde. It still feels surreal and until my feet are firmly on bolivian soil on the 23rd, a million things could still go wrong.

At the same time, I can’t wait to arrive at Senda Verde and reunite with all the amazing animals and people after four long years. I’ll spend three weeks there on a personal timeout, but will also take lots of pictures and videos so I can show you where and how all your donations have helped maintaining and improving the lifes of many wild animals.

I thank each and everyone of you with all my heart for the tireless support you have shown…

…may it have been in the form of a financial donation or one in kind, for sharing our campaigns and also for every inspiring discussion about Animalma’s animal welfare work!

Of course I’ll also use this newsletter to promote our current campaigns. That way I can bring as many donations as possible directly to Bolivia.

Emergency fund

Tourism has still not recovererd from COVID restrictions, which is why we continue to cover as many foodsupplycosts as possible.

Howl of help from the howlers

The construction work for the nursery cage has begun – thanks to the already received donations through Animalma and other supporters of Senda Verde. Any further help will make sure that the baby monkeys can move in sooner.

PS: All the returns from Jeannine’s beautiful bracelets will go to this project from now on. Send your order to info@animalma.org or directly to the artist via jeannine@brugger.me.

Bolivia is burning

Like every year, the forests of Bolivia are burning. And like every year, countless animals burn alive. Whole ecosystems are destroyed forever. These lands are set on fire on purpose – to be used for agriculture.

This complex (and global) problem hits me at my very core and paralyses me each year anew, which is why I have decided to set up a periodic campaign. A mixture of raising awareness and funds for an emergency relief, beginning in 2022.

If you want to help the voluntary firefighters right now and send your help with me, you can do so through our general page by remarking you donation with «fire relief»: https://www.animalma.org/en/support-us/
Every amount is greatly appreciated. I would love to receive any and all feedback or inspiration concerning this new topic.

I won’t have any internet or mobile reception at the refuge, so if I get the chance I will report directly from Bolivia through Social Media. I will definitely update you in detail on Animalma’s website once I’ve returned in the end of October.

Until then I’ll say

„¡Hasta pronto!“, “Take good care of yourself” “Be kind to one another” &
“Always help an animal in need – wherever, whenever!”

Cheers,
Sarah from Animalma

1st Update 2020 – 2nd try

1st Update 2020 – 2nd try
The cover picture of our lost January-Update

Dear diary

My last entry from end of January was lost due to technical problems on our website www.animalma.org.

Instead of re-writing it, I’ve decided to make one massive update covering all the highlights since the beginning of the year. And because we are all in lockdown now, I’m adding a lot of pictures, posts and videos.

As you will see, it has been a quarter full of “firsts”…

1st live interview on Facebook

On 20th of January I met the Bolivian journalist Edwin Perez Uberhuaga, publisher of the magazine “Aqui Latinos”. In my very first live interview we talked about the illegal wildlife trade in Bolivia and I presented the work of Animalma and Senda Verde.

Here you can watch the interview and brush up your Spanish skills

Edwin was in Bolivia in February, visited the refuge himself and obviously kept filming. Check out his videos here:

Interview with Vicky Ossio including jaguars, Andean bears & co.

The volunteers of Senda Verde

Marcelo Levy about the illegal wildlife trade and the mission of Senda Verde – while having a spider monkey baby around his neck

He also wrote an article about Senda Verde in the March issue of his magazine.

Senda Verde featured in “Latinos Aqui” (page 16 / 17)

1st radio interview

Through the interview with Edwin I’ve got invited by Raul Calizaya to join him as a guest in his radio programm “Voces de Latinoamerica” on Radio Stadtfilter. We talked in German and Spanish about wildlife trafficking in Bolivia and the devastating fires from last year.

I was excited that Vicky Ossio from Senda Verde joined us live from Bolivia and that we were able to present our animal welfare project in Switzerland.

Our interview on “Voces de Latinoamerica” can be listened to anytime online:

1st talent donation

An extra-wonderful first came end of January: my dear, talented, creative friend Jeannine contacted me to make a talent donation.

She knots beautiful bracelets which I can sell now for Animalma. The profit from the sale and her work are donated towards my project and I’m still over the moon by this kind and awesome gesture.

MUCHISSIMAS GRACIAS Jeannine!

I give you a little teaser of her work – if you are interested in ordering a bracelet let me know via info@animalma.org.

1st BLICK-interview

Thanks to my apprenticeship at the foundation TierRettungsDienst I had the chance to have my very first media experience last year. In December BLICK (a big media brand in Switzerland) published a video interview of me presenting the job profile of an animal keeper and mid February an article was published online.

Read the article on blick.ch and practice your German skills

Watch my interview here and test your Swiss German knowledge!

1st bday-fundraiser-event

My February was filled with birthday preparations as I organised a fundraiser event for the very first time. As my biggest wish – to celebrate my 33rd birthday in Bolivia – was not fulfilled, I decided to do something FOR Bolivia here in Switzerland.

A zero-budget-event turned into an amazing, colorful evening thanks to the support of friends and family and together we collected a stunning amount of CHF 5’110.- in donations for our Emergency fund.

I’ve teared up while writing the last sentence as I am still deeply touched by the generositiy and love from everyone for me and my project.
I thank you with all my heart for the best bday gift ever – the biggest donation in the history of Animalma. What a start into my “Jesus year”!

Check out the bday-post including pictures and my presentation

1st lockdown

And now? Now we are all in lockdown, our lifes slowed down and it’s all about #stayathome #flattenthecurve and #covid19.

Bolivia is under quarantine too, Senda Verde had to close its’ doors and again vital tourism income and volunteers are missing. This is why I keep the Emergency fund up and running as donations for food and medical supplies are now even more needed than before.

At the same time I do believe that this situation is also a chance…

…a chance to combat illegal wildlife trade, which gained medial attention through Covid.

….hopefully a chance for humanity to finally correct its’ destructive way!

….and a chance for each and everyone of us. We are forced to slow down and to have a good look at ourselves. We feel locked away like zoo animals… And hopefully think about how we treat nature, animals and our planet as a whole. Rethink our values. Take responsibility for our actions.

And hey don’t forget that you can still do a lot of good for our animals during lockdown. Here are a few examples…

For our wildlife

…plant bee- and bird-friendly flowers and plants on your balcony.

…instead of having a groomed lawn, go for an untamed meadow being a paradise for bees and other insects. Add some bushes to make the hedgehogs feel welcome too.

…and if you live in the city feed the pigeons (with pigeon fodder please!)

For our farm animals

Rethink your consumer behaviour – in general but especially when it comes to animal products. Scan your products with the app CodeCheck, research your meat labels on labelinfo.ch, look for vegetarian / vegan alternatives and try them out!

We all have more than enough time to do so and can make an important impact towards reducing animal suffering and global pollution.

For our domestic (shelter) animals

I am currently looking after the cat of a friend and I am so glad to have this feline companion in this otherwise lonely lockdown. Isn’t it amazing how much an animal can give back? At the same time I read a lot of reports about abandonded cats and dogs arriving at shelters around the globe…

The shelters in Switzerland (and I guess in other countries aswell) are closed for now due to Covid. They depend as much on donations as our project in Bolivia. Moreover, they will have a lot of animals waiting for their forever-home as soon as the pandemic is over. So please give these souls a chance…

Adopt, don’t shop!

And in case you’re living in a country with street animals, you can provide them with water and food.

I will definitely use this time in lockdown for Animalma – so come around again soon!

xxx
Your Sarah

Covid-help for Senda Verde

Covid-help for Senda Verde

Covid affects us all – including animal welfare projects around the globe

Our wildlife shelter Senda Verde is closed due to the current corona pandemic. Bolivia is in lockdown which means that vital income from tourism and volunteers are missing.

Therefore, the refuge launched a new campaign called “Wild Calling” to collect donations in order to provide food and medical supplies for their inhabitants. You can support them directly or through the Emergency fund of Animalma.

Covid-Post from Senda Verde (in English)

Watch and share their campaign video in English or Spanish…

English version

En Español

News

News

Photo by Kristi Odom

All Animalma news about our animal welfare activities fly in here…

Animalma-News

All newsletters, travel reports and association work

Newsletter 2023

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...

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8 years Animalma

All our dreams can come true, if we have the courage to pursue them. Animalma was founded on the 22nd of October 2014 – so high time to finally celebrate...

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Summer newsletter 2022

Making a big difference in small steps – this is Animalma. Dear Animalma-Family I am so happy to finally write this newsletter for you. It is full of pictures of...

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Chao 2021 and hello 2022

All pictures in this Newsletter have been taken by Noelia Chalfoun – She’s been working for Senda Verde for a few months and takes the most amazing portraits. Thank you...

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Current campaigns

Updates from on-going projects – currently #SOSSendaVerde & Nature conservation in Bolivia

Update birthday campaign 2024

Small things are responsible for big changes. – Paulo Coelho So many gifts in the form of a donation were received for Sarah’s birthday in March 2024, so that we...

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Insurance for the rangers of Madidi National Park 2024

We help the rangers of Madidi National Park for the second time with an accident and whole life insurance. The Madidi National Park in the Bolivian Amazon is the most...

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Sarah’s birthday campaign 2024

After “to love”, “to help” is the most beautiful verb in the world. Like every year… Sarah is sponsoring her birthday to do something good – in Bolivia of course...

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Little animal welfarists going big

Even freezing winter temperatures of 0 degrees did not stop the little acitivists with their sales booth “I learned that you are never too small to make a difference.” Greta...

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Safety for the rangers of Madidi National Park

We help the green heroes, the rangers of protected areas in Bolivia – for example with an accident and whole life insurance. The Madidi National Park in the Bolivian Amazon...

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Light for the Madidi

We help the green heroes, the rangers of the protected areas, in Bolivia – for example with batteries for the solar system of a checkpoint. The checkpoint “El Bala” is...

Read more

Mission Matafuego: Fire extinguishing and protection material for park rangers

We help the green heroes, the rangers of the protected areas, in Bolivia – for example with fire fighting materials. What started with a spontaneous call for donations for firefighting...

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Update November 2019

Update November 2019

Photo thanks to Rumi

Dear diary…

How hectic it has been over the last weeks and months in Bolivia – the home of my heart! I am writing to you in order to process the policital situation as well as giving you an update on the animals of Senda Verde and the ones that have been hit by the recent fires.

Politics is always a complex topic, especially in a faraway country. Usually I do not care about it that much, but in Bolivia’s case it is a totally different story. Because you, dear diary, have never been to Bolivia with me, I’ll focus on the most important events and try to keep it short.

  • On 20th October 2019 presidential elections were held in Bolivia. Unfortunately, the vote of the people was not respected, the results were falsified and Evo Morales declared as winner.
  • Luckily the Bolivian community did not accept that and went into a general, peaceful protest that lasted for three weeks.
  • The police took the side of its’ people, which lead to the resignation of Evo Morales on the 10th of November.
  • The former president fled to Mexico where he continued to sow hate and racism.
  • The interim government is planning fair and transparent elections now.
  • The situation in Bolivia is still tense. Democracy isn’t safed just yet, but it is under way.

Additional to these facts I want to add here in my diary my personal view on the recent events in Bolivia:

The protests in Bolivia werent about Left against Right, not about Indigenous against White nor about the poor against the rich. It was about respecting the vote of the people and recuperating democracy itself.

I have been deeply inspired by the unity, strength, stamina, love and creativity of the Bolivian community during this hectic time. I am proud to be part of this movement and will continue to stand for the freedom of Bolivia.

Let’s continue to the topic you are eagerly waiting for… my animal welfare activities in Bolivia.

Fires in the Bolivian Amazon

A heavenly rain in the beginning of October finally calmed down the fires and made them manageable. Nevertheless, 60’000 km2 forest and grassland have been lost, 2’600’000 animals died horribly in the flames since August.

Due to the landwide protests in October and November, it was very difficult to help the survivors of this tragedy. The campaign of Senda Verde came to a complete stop and we lost valuable time. The situation is being analysed now and we are still raising funds for La Chiquitania – the region that has been hit the hardest by the fires.

Senda Verde Wildlife Refuge

My wild family’s daily expenses are usually covered by income from tourism and volunteers. As these means have come to a complete stop for four weeks and will only recover over time, essential funds are missing to ensure the maintenance of the shelter and its’ 835 inhabitants.

Essential food supplies like oat, milk powder and sunflower seeds are missing, which is why Senda Verde posted an emergency call. We have heard their cry and set up an emergency fund for them: https://www.animalma.org/en/sossenda-verde-en/

Please support this important campaign – with a donation and / or a valuable share on your Social Media channels.

With hope, love & inspiration

Sarah