Teaching kids to CARE through books
CARE members read to children about animal welfare
(CNS): A local charity that encourages children to be kind to animals teamed up with a local service club that helps kids to read last Saturday. Volunteers from #kidsCARE, the education programme run by the Cayman Animal Rescue Enthusiasts (CARE), read children’s books about animals to the youngsters who turned up for the Kiwanis Club of Grand Cayman’s reading programme and mobile library at the George Town Primary School.
Kiwanis members and kids inside the mobile library
According to Programme Coordinator Kiralee Harnett, #kidsCARE aims to teach children empathy for other beings and care for their environment, which, she points out, are qualities essential to raising kind, compassionate citizens. The group is hoping to take their message to all the local school and have a long-term goal of it becoming part of the national curriculum.
The programme developed by the group is about 45 minutes per class and includes topics such as ‘Introduction to animals’, ‘Animal safety’, ‘Pet responsibility’, ‘Pet overpopulation’, ‘Animal Cruelty’, and can be adapted to suit various age-groups.
“The #kidsCARE education program has been developed to address the need for balance in future generations and empower students to realize they can make a positive difference in their communities and the world around them,” Harnett said.
The programme is run entirely by volunteers but they do need donations to cover the cost of reading material. Donations to CARE can be made specifically for their education programme.
CARE is a Cayman Islands registered charity that aims to prevent ill-treatment, cruelty and suffering to all domestic animals, and to reduce the number of stray and unwanted dogs and cats on the island by offering free spay and neutering for pets.
The Kiwanis “Book Mobile” will be at the George Town Pirmary again on Saturday 5 September, from 10am until noon, offering access to books, reading assistance and encouraging a love of books and learning.
Read more about CARE, its education programme and how to donate. CARE is also in need of volunteers with vehicles, especially vans and SUVs, to transport animals to and from the vet for surgery.
Groups or school interested in the #kidsCARE programme can email info@caymancare.ky
Find out more about the Kiwanis reading programme and mobile library, and other projects
Kiwanis club of Grand Cayman’s mobile library
