On Miriam Gardsbane's 9th birthday two years ago, her aunt gave money to a group that cares for elephants.The woman, who lives in Kenya, told the group she was giving the money to celebrate Miriam's birthday.Miriam and her mother then visited Africa to learn how that money was helping to support elephants. Miriam fell in love with the animals and wanted to help save them.A few months after visiting Africa, Miriam watched "How I Became an Elephant,"a documentary about the mistreatment of elephants in Thailand, and a young girl's campaign to save them.Miriam decided she wanted to launch her own effort to raise money to save elephants.She recently joined about 12 other students in an art center at the Friends School in Sandy Springs, Maryland.They made elephants from clay and decorated them. "And you put things in it like a saddle or in people on it.""The best part is just the different ways you can make ‘em and how far you can go with your creativity."The children were spending part of their spring break -- a time when classes are not held -- to help Miriam Gardsbane raise money to save elephants.
