Using Animal Care to Promote Empathy in Children

SAWS was invited to attend the Pet Care Day at Hlanganani Primary School in Pigg’s Peak, Northern Swaziland to present the Want a Friend? Be a Friend! booklet produced by the Global Alliance for Rabies Control, the World Health Organization and 2 South African sponsors. This booklet is aimed at ensuring that children learn how to treat pets properly and how to avoid bites, which of course are the main source of Rabies infections whilst at the same time improving their English and comprehension.

The day’s events included the Want a Friend? Be a Friend! being circulated through the school with each class taking 1 page to work on (as they only had 30 books), there were also games, animal talks, face painting and a demonstration on how to bath a dog without getting soap in its eyes (see photos)

The students were fully aware of Rabies and what they should do if bitten, as they had been taught that last year (they proudly told us). We asked how many had pets, and the majority had dogs – very few cats.

This school adopted 2 kittens about 6 months ago in an effort to encourage awareness and care of pets, this has worked very well, with most of the children now coming to the office at break time to talk, feed or play with them. In Swazi society this is a great forward step.

I am also pleased to let you all know that we just recevied permission from both Kandwandwe Chiefdom and the Swaziland Veterinary Association for another Community Spay Day on June 25, 2016.  We are very excited about this.  Kandwandwe Chiefdom is close to Mshingishingini Chiefdom where we previously held a Community Spay Day. When Vusumnotfo went last Saturday to request permission, it was clear that they had heard good things about the activity and were very pleased that it was coming to their community this time. 

It is for this reason that we have extended the budget for this project. With many Thanks for your continued assistance in helping us make this happen.