Our Delegate Mr. Che Gilbert, visited last Friday a primary School in Cameroon and with our volunteers they talk with children about animal rights and environment.
“Young generation in Africa are the future and they carry the responsibility of protecting the future”, said Mr. Gilbert.
In most African countries and Cameroon in particular, hunting and animal mistreatment occur every thirty minutes which is a call for concern. The Government of Cameroon has been doing all it can to protect the wild, but their messages are limited within cities and urban areas. Meanwhile hunting and animals mistreatment happen in rural and remote areas.
Farmed and domestic animals suffer every day because their owners have little or no knowledge about animals welfare and protection. Furthermore, there is no law to protect the rights of domestic/farmed animals. Thousands of wild animals like elephants, chimpanzees, antelopes are being killed and smuggled every day. This has put many wild animals at the verge of extinction and environment in great danger.
It is necessary to get Cameroonian involved in animals protection. For this to be effective, we must educate people in remote area and communities because they are the main contributors to animal abuse. People living in rural areas do not have access to any media organ nor know anything about protection and animal welfare.
Since 2012 OIPA is working to sensitize Cameroonians in remote areas on the need to protect and ensure the welfare of animals and their habitat in Cameroon. Many schools and communities have benefited from the initiative.
This time we went to government primary school Njibi in the Bafut sub division. With a population of about 300 pupils distributed in six different class rooms. We explain to the children how a seek animal should be treated using bandages and some drugs.
It was an opportunity to know the names of some wild animals which they could only identify when seen. Stories were told about how animals are been treat in different families. It is aching to know that, some families have dogs and only use these dogs to hunt. Most families do not care if these dogs eat or drink water.
OIPA volunteers explained how important is to protect both domestic and wild animals and also how both species should be approached.
Testimony: “We thank OIPA for choosing our school and we promise to teach others what we have leant today. We promise to play a part in protecting animals and the environment”.
Author: Che Gilbert, OIPA Cameroon
