Last summer, my family and I joined a family volunteering project in Namibia, working for the not-for-profit organisation, EHRA (Elephant-Human Relations Aid). We spent some time scraping, sanding, painting and building in a local primary school, A.Gariseb Primary, where we received the following most humbling welcome:

Thank you to all who donated clothes, shoes, toys and stationery! We are now trying to raise some money for the PEACE project (People and Elephants Amicably Co-Existing) - an offshoot of EHRA. This project provides workshops so that the children and local communities gain a deep understanding of elephant behaviour and how to interpret this, lessening fears, and ultimately learning how to protect themselves and their livelihoods during elephant encounters. This is not only safer for the children but also reduces the chances of elephants being shot as farmers often see them as "problem animals" - there is a huge conflict between elephants and farmers over water and other resources.

EHRA volunteers help the farmers by building walls around wells. Hendrick (middle, pictured above with a lady whose home was broken apart by an elephant seeking water) is leading the educational efforts, listening to the local people and seeing how EHRA and the PEACE project can help.

We are hoping to raise money to support Hendrick's educational work in the school, increasing awareness and knowledge of elephant behaviour, and learning what to do when elephants pass through the school grounds (which we witnessed!)

For my part, I have agreed to take part in the Tiree Ultra-marathon (35 miles) on 10th September and have been sort-of getting fitter for about a year, jogging with my inspirational running pal, Susan, during her recovery from breast cancer. Training was going ok, but for various reasons has been pretty non-existent since the end of June. So I will definitely be taking to the startline in a couple of weeks more on a wing and a prayer than with any great expectation, but knowing that I will be raising money for this cause will hopefully give me the inspiration I need to finish.

The girls are planning to give one or two talks locally about their experiences working for EHRA - details to appear on Facebook soon!!