KAR Education Team article

[KAR]

Lots of people in the TRNC and elsewhere are not always aware of the work that often goes on behind the scenes at KAR so an insight here is an article written by our well established and respected Education team ;

Visit by Education team to Necat school in Alsancak.
On Tuesday May 26 and 27th Maggie Smith, Cyprus terrier Annie and I, Carole Widdison, visited Necat school to teach 4 and 5 year olds then 5 and 6 year olds. In the hour, on each day, we had great fun with approximately 30 enthusiastic boys and girls.
After a brief introduction about KAR and Annie`s story we went on to explore what an animal needed to be happy and healthy. Annie was used as an example throughout.

Each child had a booklet with pictures to colour and information in. We ask them to show and share this with their parents when they take the booklet home.
A cat carrier full of things that animals need is used for pupils to take something, show the class and decide what it is for. For example, how important are a collar, name tag and lead. There is also a brush, which is used on Annie as a demonstration. Examples of good food are also shown.

We concluded with great fun getting pupils to make cat noises and talking about how to recognise whether a cat is angry or happy. We talk to pupils about how to behave if they come across a dog they don`t know and how to approach a dog if its owner says that is ok. We demonstrate using pupils how to stand still like a tree or curl up like a stone to protect them selves if they should ever need to.
The school had been collecting food for KAR all of the week before and Carole`s car boot and back seat were full when it was collected. We were very grateful for their hard work and the collection of so much animal food.

In the last photograph the pupil is pretending to be a happy cat and purring while Maggie is stroking her head.
On Monday June 15th we attended an assembly at Necat to present each pupil with a certificate for completing the work.
We are hoping to visit next academic year to teach the older students.[/i]

A very happy parent and aunt.
While visiting Asare pharmacy in Karaoglanoglu, one of the sisters who run the pharmacy recognised us and told us how thrilled her daughter at Necat school had been to receive her certificate. They both said what a difference our lesson had made to the young girl`s awareness of animals and how they should be treated and even heard her telling her younger brother. They were very positive and we were so pleased to have been given such positive feed back.

[Spiceisnice]

That is brilliant, educating and catching potential pet owners when they are young helps so much. Keep up your fantastic work!!!! Best wishes, Amanda x

[sophie]

Thanks Spiceisnice. This is an aspect of the work carried out by KAR that is hardly known about or appreciated. Makes a change from the moans and groans about why doesn't KAR do this, that and the other though. Pity we can't get into some adult organisations as well, but if we can sow seeds into the minds of the children, then its well worth the effort. Congratulations Educational Team.

[bigbadbob]

Absolutely brilliant work!
This is the way to break through the ''Old' ways and to improve the conditions and care of the animals here.
Education, hands on with the animals and making it fun at the same time = Keep it up KAR !

BBB's Other Half.