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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