VietNamNet Bridge – A couple from Australia has worked hard for six years to sponsor the Bear Rescue Centre in Vietnam, hoping to help the endangered animal from extinction.
Mr. Richard Collins and Mrs. Joanna Collins.
Mr. Richard Collins and Mrs. Joanna Collins have recently come to Vietnam to work at the Bear Rescue Centre of the Animal Asia Foundation (AAF). During the second trip to Vietnam, they gave the center a car worth $30,000 to use for rescuing bears. This is also the first car that the bear rescue center has.
In the past six years, the couple donated and helped this organize with more than $ 400,000. They have also tried to call many other benefactors for helping Vietnam’s bears when they are in the brink of extinction. In the most recent fundraising, they donated more than $160,000 for the AAF.
The couple comes from Adelaide, southern Australia. Richard is the boss of the JARVIS automobile trading company in South Australia, while his wife works in the beauty industry. From their childhood, they were educated to love and respect animals and the love for animals also grew with them when they grew up.
They and many businesses have sponsored and donated to more than 30 charity organizations protecting children and animals in many countries. Mrs. Joanna Collins is also a Goodwill Ambassador of the Federation for Animal Rights Protection of Australia (ALWA).
The meeting with Dr. Jill Robinson, the founder of AAF six years ago has become the rope connecting the heart of Mr. and Mrs. Collins to the bears that are harassed by the bear farming industry for bear bile.
“I admire Jill for her dedication to the cause of animal protection and enthusiasm for the mission to end bear farming for bile throughout Vietnam and China,” said Joanna.
After returning to Australia, the couple positively suggested Jill Robinson to see what they could do for bears. Since then, the couple began donating to AFF on a monthly basis, through providing food. Then they gradually increased funding to build stables for bears and called for their friends to join.
Bears at the Bear Rescue Center in Vietnam.
“The bears are so cute. They have smooth coats and like playing,” Joanna said. “I love hugging bears. I hope bears in the world are protected and I am glad that the government of Vietnam is taking more active measures to protect them,” Mrs. Collins said.
Photo: The bears that are under the patron of Mr. and Mrs. Collins.
She said that she was so heartbreaking to know the bears suffering abuse in bear farms. “I agreed to help the bear Taurus, and now I know that Taurus and Jarvis are living in peace in the Bear Rescue Center of the AAF, I feel my heart warm again.”
There are four bears sponsored by the Collins family at the Bear Rescue Centre in Vietnam, including Jarvis, Taurus, Ricky and Joey.
Mr. Collins explained his philosophy simply: “Animals cannot speak. If we can help change people’s perceptions, we are always happy.”
Compiled by Le Ha