GMAP's Awareness Campaigns: Teaching Lebanese Children to Respect Animals
They say the future of the world is with the youth, and at GMAP, we couldn’t agree more! In order to build a better future for animals in our country, we must first start with Lebanese children. GMAP has been undertaking its Youth Awareness Campaign, which aims to connect Lebanese children with rescued dogs whilst educating the children about animal rights and more specifically, the respect and compassion in which all dogs should be treated! Keep reading to learn more about this important and life-changing program.
Why did we create this specific campaign?
In Lebanon, some people are misinformed in general about animals, and with dogs, this is especially the case. Common superstitions persist, and besides this, there is an underlying fear that causes many people to react aggressively to the presence of dogs, and especially stray ones. Misinformed Lebanese adults often pass on these beliefs and superstitions to their Lebanese children. Cruelty to dogs in Lebanon will never be eliminated unless we take action to stop this cycle. This is how our GMAP Youth Awareness Campaign was born!
How does this campaign work?
Our team members, accompanied by a few shelter dogs, have been visiting schools, youth centers, and camps all around Lebanon. During these visits, we have been introducing the children to the dogs. We also conduct an interactive awareness session which touches on the basics of dog care, respect, behavior, body language, as well as the history and goals of our NGO. We demonstrate these points with our shelter dogs where applicable, so the Lebanese children can have a truly hands-on and interactive experience, encouraging the retention of this information as well as these principles.
What are the effects and goals of this campaign?
We can divide our outcomes into short-term and long-term ones. Some have already been observed, while others are projected.
- Short-term: Kids have a fun and educational activity enriching their knowledge about dogs and ethics. Petting and cuddling shelter dogs will also bring them comfort and pleasure.
- Long-term: Kids will carry this knowledge with them into their daily lives, interactions with dogs and other animals, as well as into their future. They will inform and influence their parents and peers. When the generation made aware reaches adulthood, cruelty to dogs in Lebanon will be less widespread or eliminated. Society will improve.
Hopefully, you have learned more about our GMAP Awareness Campaign, and why we think it is very important for Lebanese children to learn to respect animals and treat them well. If you would like to join us in spreading this important knowledge, do not hesitate to share our page or website with schools, teachers, and educators in general. Also, you can always nurture a love for animals in your own children as well as those that you know.
