Fortunately, because of the active participation of a large and diverse range of people, JAMBO International is going strong. Unfortunately, the same cannot be said of the icon which JAMBO uses as its inspiration – the elephant. According to the Earth Island Journal magazine (Summer, 2015), the African elephant population is only 2.5% of what it once was (dropping from 20 million in 1800 to 500,000 today). A large part of the reason for this decline is due to poaching and taking the tusks to make ivory products. JAMBO’s donations in July go to African Wildlife Foundation and World Wildlife Fund – 2 groups which are actively fighting against poaching and trying to protect elephant habitat.

It’s surely painful to see the suffering which these majestic creatures experience due to human greed. Yet, as the recent JAMBO School blog states, through our suffering, we can become more compassionate people. And in becoming more loving, we take action and become like Ganesh, the Hindu God which is half elephant and The Remover of Obstacles. Let’s help the plight of the elephant by supporting organizations which protect them, and give Ganesh good reason to dance!