11 February 2011
SERC students set up wildlife charity
Six enterprising students from South Eastern Regional College (SERC) have set-up a wildlife charity after working with endangered animals in Indonesia. ‘Penny's for Paws’ is a charitable business set-up in conjunction with the Young Enterprise Scheme with the aim of raising much needed funds for Indonesian animal rescue sanctuary, ‘Tasikoki’, where the students volunteered for a month in June 2010.
The idea for the charity came about during a HND Animal Management class in October 2009, when the six students, Joanne Kropl, Kirsten Westwood, Martina Hastings, Hayley Quinn, Lisa Barr and Joy Galbraith discussed the idea of going to Indonesia for a month’s work experience.
Joanne takes up the story; “As part of our Animal Management course we were required to complete a four week placement working with animals. Together we discussed the different possibilities within Northern Ireland such as Belfast Zoo, veterinary surgeons, and dog sanctuary’s, then someone had the idea of going abroad to an exotic wildlife sanctuary. We started to research possible destinations and found ‘Tasikoki’, through a volunteer website, GlobalTeer.Org. This Indonesian Animal Sanctuary has been in operation since 2006. At present the sanctuary houses over 200 native and non-native species of birds of paradise, orang-utans, gibbons, macaques, Java leopards, sun bears, tortoises, turtles, deer’s, and crocodiles.
“Through our research we realised that like so many voluntary organisations their biggest problem is lack of funding. Feeding the animals is very expensive, for instance to feed an orang-utan, it costs £200 a week.”
To support the charity the students decided to organise a range of fundraising activities before embarking on their adventure. Through a bun sale, a pub quiz, a clothes collection and raffle they managed to collect over £1000, with each student also making a significant personal donation to the cause.
Since returning from their adventure in Indonesia the students decided to continue their charitable work setting-up ‘Penny’s for Paws’. This business was set-up through the Young Enterprise Northern Ireland Programme initiative which gives students the opportunity to experience what it is like to start-up and run a business, and they are supported by lecturer Gwyneth Wilkinson. They have held several fundraising events in SERC including a ‘Penny’s 4 Paws’ day where the students went round the College literally collecting pennies and spare change. More recently the students attended the Young Enterprise Trade Fair on 4th February in Bloomfield Shopping Centre where again they were asking shoppers for pennies and loose change.
Speaking about her their time in Indonesia Joanne said; “We have learnt a lot about ourselves, learnt DIY skills, how to make enrichment toys, how to make shelters for the animals, working as a team and on our own, working in difficult conditions such as torrential rain and extreme heat. Although there was a huge cultural difference, this was overcome by the welcoming nature of the Indonesian people.”
Joanne concluded; “Our experience in Indonesia has brought us all closer together, it has made us more focused and determined on our career paths and has provided us with skills and experiences that will help us fulfil our dreams. We will continue our charitable work through ‘Penny’s 4 Paws’ in the knowledge that the money raised will go towards rehabilitating animals who have had a life of suffering.”
Well done to the girls who were awarded 'Best Start Up' at the Trade Fair, and we wish them continued success with the company!
