Children visit the animals
Over the period of 2 days the children from the previous homes we had been to arrived at UWEC for a tour of the animals and centre
Upon the arrival of our visitors, the children were given a tour around UWEC visiting all of the animals. They appeared to really enjoy their trip and most of the children had never been to a wildlife park before. The children were shown all the animals and given a talk about the importance of conservation at the centre. The lions were very close up to the fence and some of the children were slightly wary of them. Most of the children had never seen any of these animals before.
Peace who is the education officer for UWEC showed them around all of the animals and related all the animals to human families and feelings. Of course the chimpanzees were included in this talk, where Peace started making noises that the chimpanzees responded to and came running over calling back!
The children were told by Patrick from the orphanage that chimpanzees can be orphaned or abused just like humans can. Some of the children began asking questions about what do the chimpanzees do when they feel sad, angry or happy. Peace showed them with her body language and voice which made the children laugh.
The first day the children were younger with a few older members of the home, who were in their late teens. The second day the children were mainly in their teenage years. We then looked forward to the afternoon where we were able to begin art work with the children.
By Roger Mallins, April 16, 2010 @ 1:37 pm
It is amazing that many of these youngsters had never been to a wildlife park before , which reminds me that some children in UK deprived areas have never seen the sea.
The body language exhibited by Peace they will be unlikely to forget.She obviously has the gift of perception of primates and the youngsters.Nice report.