The story behind our 'elephant logo'
We get compliments about how cute our ‘elephant logo’ looks but it’s not the only reason why we chose this loving and gentle creature to represent ALQ Foundation. (ref: https://africageographic.com/blog/5-traits-elephants-humans-common/)
"Elephants know Empathy"
Just like elephants, touch is one of many ways in which we communicate with the children. We find that the best way to express our empathy is by holding their hand when they are in pain, or in need of comfort, care and support.
Elephants are known to be great empathizers. When an elephant in a herd is in discomfort, other members make noises in communication with the hurt individual and, in some instances, elephants have been seen using touch to comfort one another. By gently using their trunks, they caress another elephant to comfort him or her. This characteristic is reminiscent of how we empathize with children who are in need of a safer home, a loving family and access to basic needs.
Our vision of becoming a beacon of hope for abandoned, lost and abused children begins with our willingness and ability to empathize with them. Just like elephants, touch is one of many ways in which we communicate with the children. We find that the best way to express our empathy is by holding their hand when they are in pain, or in need of comfort, care and support.
Our vision of becoming a beacon of hope for abandoned, lost and abused children begins with our willingness and ability to empathize with them. Just like elephants, touch is one of many ways in which we communicate with the children. We find that the best way to express our empathy is by holding their hand when they are in pain, or in need of comfort, care and support.
“Elephants never forget”
We believe that while we can never erase painful memories, we can always build greater and better memories. We want them to feel remembered and cared for.
I’m sure you have heard of that old saying: "Elephants never forget." While it may be an exaggeration, there's more truth to the adage than you might realize.
Elephants survive in the wild because of their memory. When younger male elephants in a group reach sexual maturity—usually around 14 years of age—they leave the herd to roam solo or occasionally form groups with other males. Because of this, the herd which is led by an older female elephant will huddle in defensive positions when confronted with an unfamiliar elephant. Researchers have also proven and concluded that elephants can recognize and track as many as 30 of their companions, and they don't just remember companions they've spent long stretches of time with, either. They can also recognize other friendly elephants whom they had only spent short periods of time together. Another proof that elephants have superb memory is the matriarch’s ability to remember where reliable water can be found and are able to guide their herds to water over very long distances, and over the span of many years.
ALQ Foundation believes in restoring the lives of children who have experienced pain, loss and abuse. While their past is part of who they are, it should not define who they could be. We believe that while we can never erase painful memories, we can always build greater and better memories. We want them to feel remembered and cared for. As “matriarchs” of our “herd,” we stand to build a safe environment for them – ready to defend them when need be – and able to lead them to a path of hope and empowerment.
Elephants survive in the wild because of their memory. When younger male elephants in a group reach sexual maturity—usually around 14 years of age—they leave the herd to roam solo or occasionally form groups with other males. Because of this, the herd which is led by an older female elephant will huddle in defensive positions when confronted with an unfamiliar elephant. Researchers have also proven and concluded that elephants can recognize and track as many as 30 of their companions, and they don't just remember companions they've spent long stretches of time with, either. They can also recognize other friendly elephants whom they had only spent short periods of time together. Another proof that elephants have superb memory is the matriarch’s ability to remember where reliable water can be found and are able to guide their herds to water over very long distances, and over the span of many years.
ALQ Foundation believes in restoring the lives of children who have experienced pain, loss and abuse. While their past is part of who they are, it should not define who they could be. We believe that while we can never erase painful memories, we can always build greater and better memories. We want them to feel remembered and cared for. As “matriarchs” of our “herd,” we stand to build a safe environment for them – ready to defend them when need be – and able to lead them to a path of hope and empowerment.
“Elephants communicate and mourn like humans”
As an organization, we will never be able to replace lost love ones, a mother or a father or a child. But through compassion and guidance, we will be able to help them be whole again.
According to Africageographic.com, “Elephants have been known to show distinct mourning behavior when a family member dies. They will sometimes spend hours with the individual that has passed away and even days in certain cases. The distress of the herd after the loss of a member is clear. Using their trunks, they will touch the remains of the lost member and reassure one another by rubbing up against each other, akin to holding their own ‘service of remembrance’. Elephants have also been known to spend time with the member’s remains when the herd passes through the area in the future, sometimes decades after the death. It is a time where they can once again recognize the life of the individual that has passed and show respect.”
Like humans, elephants too can communicate their emotional status. Using five main methods of communication: seismic communication (where depending on the frequency, sounds can be transmitted through the ground as vibrations); visual communication (many of us have witnessed the head-up, ears-out posture of a displeased elephant); chemical communication (elephant in musth); tactile communication (touch); and acoustic (sounds).
These characteristics resonates with us. It also resonates with the children we serve because they also mourn loss of love and affection that they feel due to rejection from their own family. Some of them even blame themselves and see themselves worthless (and they are not). As an organization, we will never be able to replace lost love ones, a mother or a father or a child. But through compassion and guidance, we will be able to help them be whole again.
Like humans, elephants too can communicate their emotional status. Using five main methods of communication: seismic communication (where depending on the frequency, sounds can be transmitted through the ground as vibrations); visual communication (many of us have witnessed the head-up, ears-out posture of a displeased elephant); chemical communication (elephant in musth); tactile communication (touch); and acoustic (sounds).
These characteristics resonates with us. It also resonates with the children we serve because they also mourn loss of love and affection that they feel due to rejection from their own family. Some of them even blame themselves and see themselves worthless (and they are not). As an organization, we will never be able to replace lost love ones, a mother or a father or a child. But through compassion and guidance, we will be able to help them be whole again.
"Our dear Lexi loves elephants"
In her honor, we have built a foundation that would carry on her legacy and to make it especially memorable, we used her favorite animal, “the elephant” as our insignia to represent our cause.
The Alexis Louise Quiza (ALQ) Foundation was founded to give memorial tribute to Alexis Louise Quiza, who is our founder’s daughter. She was an inspiration to us because of her kind heart and her vision of charitable works for the children at risks and at need. Lexi has always been fond of elephants. This gentle giant is her spirit animal and, inarguably so, was so much like her – strong, a great empathizer, and ‘remembers’ the good in everybody. In her honor, we have built a foundation that would carry on her legacy and to make it especially memorable, we used her favorite animal, “the elephant” as our insignia to represent our cause. We know that she smiles every time somebody appreciate our logo.