How the artistic creations of the children in Koch Village reflect attitudes toward animals in the home of BIG FIX Uganda
Twenty-one children in Koch Village (where BIG FIX Uganda is located) were invited to participate in a special education program as part of our World Animal Day celebration. 13 of these children live in homes with a Comfort Dog and a parent who is a war trauma survivor.
The program was enjoyed by everyone and included educational presentations about the importance of recognizing the basic rights of animals, caring for animals well, and developing positive bonds with dogs and other animals. Children created artwork to take home and their drawings reflect the attitudes that local children have about animals. BIG FIX President Sarah Schmidt recalls when we first began school outreach programs in 2012, and children were asked to draw pictures of dogs, the dogs were depicted on chains, with teeth showing, and looking quite intimidating. Today, the artwork reflects that most children see dogs as friends and part of the family. This is definitely feedback that our education efforts have transformed how people think about dogs and whether dogs are valued family members, Schmidt says.
After having the chance to see the inside of BIG FIX's dog hospital, to meet the vet team, and to visit with rescue puppies, the children enjoyed a wonderful lunch with the entire BIG FIX staff. After lunch, a story book (published by BIG FIX about a woman and her dog) was read and each child was given a copy of the book to take home with them, as well as a set of colored pencils and some paper so that they could continue creating art at home.
The pandemic has caused many economic hardships on families in Northern Uganda, so the BIG FIX staff also decided to share some of BIG FIX's garden harvest with local families by giving 5 kg of maize flour to each of the children who participated in the event, so that their family members would also have something to eat.
It was a wonderful day and everyone enjoyed it, reported BIG FIX's Executive Administrative Assistant Odoch Honest, who helped to organize the event.
The program was enjoyed by everyone and included educational presentations about the importance of recognizing the basic rights of animals, caring for animals well, and developing positive bonds with dogs and other animals. Children created artwork to take home and their drawings reflect the attitudes that local children have about animals. BIG FIX President Sarah Schmidt recalls when we first began school outreach programs in 2012, and children were asked to draw pictures of dogs, the dogs were depicted on chains, with teeth showing, and looking quite intimidating. Today, the artwork reflects that most children see dogs as friends and part of the family. This is definitely feedback that our education efforts have transformed how people think about dogs and whether dogs are valued family members, Schmidt says.
After having the chance to see the inside of BIG FIX's dog hospital, to meet the vet team, and to visit with rescue puppies, the children enjoyed a wonderful lunch with the entire BIG FIX staff. After lunch, a story book (published by BIG FIX about a woman and her dog) was read and each child was given a copy of the book to take home with them, as well as a set of colored pencils and some paper so that they could continue creating art at home.
The pandemic has caused many economic hardships on families in Northern Uganda, so the BIG FIX staff also decided to share some of BIG FIX's garden harvest with local families by giving 5 kg of maize flour to each of the children who participated in the event, so that their family members would also have something to eat.
It was a wonderful day and everyone enjoyed it, reported BIG FIX's Executive Administrative Assistant Odoch Honest, who helped to organize the event.