Hi Global Strays Partner,
Did you see my email yesterday? I wanted to share with you more about our educational program in Liberia. Most students do not know how to properly care for their animals before entering our classrooms. They also harbor fears & superstitions, often leading to animal cruelty.
Some lessons students take away from this program may seem surprising, but they are also life-changing for Liberian kids and their pets.
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Did you know that some Liberians believe cats are witches & even have the power to transmit a cough to humans that never goes away?
This was a common misconception among students that our teachers addressed through education. Because of this belief, cats are treated poorly and feared by many.
Mary (pictured here with her cat) learned that cats are smart, loving creatures who deserve to be cared for and protected.
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2. Using bowls for food & water?
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Did you know many pet owners do not serve their pets food in bowls, instead they place food directly on the ground?
This can be harmful to pets as it exposes them to dirt, gravel, and insects.
We taught students the importance of providing pets with food and water in bowls, even going into communities to share what they learned.
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Would you be surprised to find out that most of our students had never bathed their pet before?
Although bathing pets is vital for their skin health, many of our students did not know this. Our educators taught students the proper way to bathe a pet and even took them into local communities to give them baths.
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Did you know that in Liberia, most dogs live outside and typically do not have any form of shelter?
The creative students in our classroom loved learning how to make dog houses from recycled plastic bottles! Now, kids know that animals must be protected. We also taught them that domesticated animals deserve to live comfortably with humans, as they depend on us to keep them safe.
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5. Animals as companions?
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You may consider your pets as part of your family, but in Liberia, many do not form close relationships with animals.
The belief that animals are not friends nor companions was even common among students who had pets at home!
One of our students, Success, said he didn't have a close relationship with his dog, Little Girl, before our program. Now he's a caring best friend to his sweet dog!
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We depend on your support to continue bringing humane education into communities around the world.
Our educational program in Monrovia, Liberia ended for summer in June but we are just getting started! The expansion of our educational program to Africa is a turning point for our organization as we move to emphasize animal welfare education as a greater part of our mission.
Please consider a donation using the button below!!
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I'd love to hear your thoughts on our newest program, so please respond to this email (after you donate!)
Warmly,
Liz |
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