The Project/Initiative

Our first project was with a NGO called the Elephant-Human Relations Aid (EHRA). [Link to their website: Volunteer with Elephants in Namibia, Africa | Elephant-Human Relations Aid].

Image: Chris and Hermann describe the mission and impact of EHRA to us at the Education Centre

EHRA essentially operate at the nexus of where social consideration and natural preservation meet, and seek to find ways to ensure sustained peaceful coexistance (and flourishing) between the rural communities and the desert elephants.

Our time with them was split in two parts, the first was "build week" where we volunteer in the local community and commit to complete a project that will help them. We spent four days in a rural school, where we were painting their dining room in the mornings and engaging with the students in the afternoon. (I will cover part two in a separate post).

Key insights gained through the experience:

This organisation (EHRA) is such a fantastic demonstration of effective problem solving, stewardship and resourcefulness. At one point during the week Anaya said “They don’t have many resources, but they are very resourceful”, which I thought was very apt.
The simple act of listening is so powerful to build the trust necessary to actually resolve a problem effectively (and keeping it solved). Really hearing what people need (and sometimes just allowing them to vent!) goes a long way to getting to a good outcome.
I now realise that I have significantly underestimated the value of building bonds with local communities, and wonder how many proposed solutions I have seen (and possibly advocated for) before in similar arenas that overlook or neglect the buy-in of the local people. The trust-building required to make this possible relies on repeated acts of empathy and unconditional giving over a long period of time in order to bring everyone into alignment.
It would probably have been far sexier to drive us around showing us wild animals and beautiful vistas, but actually rolling up our sleeves and seeing how the people live deepened our connection with the country and gave far more meaning to the conservation work we are doing. (An old Chinese proverb kept coming back to me when I was thinking about this: “He who cuts the wood gets warm twice”).

What our typical day looked like:

We were camping in the same site everyday for these four days. There was no electricity or running water (and therefore no toilets, showers or WiFi!). We would typically wake up at around 6am, help to build a fire and get breakfast going (porridge oats and some toast on the fire), get ourselves ready and walk about 10 minutes across the plains to the school for 8:30am (see the second picture below - we are walking towards the lights in the distance).
We would then start/resume our painting work for the morning, with a short break in the middle. We would head back to our camp at 12:30pm for lunch, and then go back to the school for around 3pm to do some activities with the kids - which for our group ranged from teaching, playing games, crafting, football (chaos) and yoga!

Who we met:

The people from EHRA that we fell in love with:
- Hermann (aka Legend) - Elephant Guard, Ranger and essentially a local diplomat when the elephants have caused some damage. He speaks many of the local languages, and was described as the “glue” for the project because he is so well respected by the local people. He was with us from Day 1 until the very end, and was a tower of strength and guidance and brought levity when needed too.
- Rachel (aka Roo) - The Managing Director of EHRA, and has been here for 22 years. She is quirky, funny, humble, compassionate and absolutely brilliant. One of those rare people who seem to effortlessly inspire those around her, and bring the right people together to find a path forward. No job too big or too small. What she (and the EHRA team) have built over the last two decades is remarkable. (The girls recorded an interview with Rachel, which will be posted on the podcast page.)
- Fiona (aka Fifi) - Our camp mother for both parts of our EHRA trip. She is so warm, gives amazing hugs and manages to cook wonderful food with nothing but an open flame. Her humour and laugh is infectious. We wish her well for her upcoming wedding in November 2025!
- Chris (aka Baboushka) - Been with EHRA for 14 years now, incredibly intelligent and knowledgeable about many things. He seems to have a few responsibilities at EHRA - including managing the solar pumps program and leading the data analysis. He has a slightly Machiavellian side though - full of mischief, pranks and an acerbic wit that made him the loveable rascal for everyone in our group.
We were lucky to be a part of an amazing group of volunteers that included two other families who were with us the whole way:
- Michelle and Simone - a beautiful mother-daughter team from San Diego on a girls trip, with such positive energy and open hearts. They were amazing to have around, Michelle and Div had a great dynamic from the first minute and were kindred souls. We look forward to seeing you (and meeting the rest of the family) next year!
- The Thomson-Gallagher family from Yorkshire, England - Ben (Maths teacher who was put to serious work by the school staff!), Carmel (Leads a unit in the UK who specialise in assisting children with spinal and cranial injuries/issues, and who led some excellent singing and crafting with the kids), Finn (19, makes excellent toast over an open fire and known to all as Legend, enough said), Ned (17, athletic man of many talents and wild camping all-star, current applying to study chemical engineering at University next year (fingers crossed for Cambridge!)), Agnes (14, competitive soul who is quick to laugh, with the reflexes of a Mongoose and wants to be in animal conservation in the future and open her own sanctuary).

Namibia - Elephant-Human Relations Aid (EHRA) - Part 1 (Build week)

“There cannot be change without loss” (~ An Examined Life)