As with any initiative run by ElefantAsia, the idea of a Mahout School comes directly from the Mahout community itself. Mahouts have requested assistance to find new ways to earn a living with their elephants, fully aware of the risk of extinction threatening their elephants and their craft.

As stated previously, providing young Mahouts with the necessary tools to work within the tourism industry would help gather enthusiastic young Mahouts at the school, who will eventually be hired by the tourism industry when their training is over.

Today Mahouts have little self-esteem. They are considered as mere elephant drivers when, in fact, they possess an amazing wealth of knowledge relating to the forest and its inhabitants! Without the language barrier, Mahouts could become tour guides themselves and increase their revenue substantially. This would in turn help keep their families in vibrant rural communities.

STATUS OF LAO MAHOUTS