Rabies education in schools and beyond
As a reader of this newsletter, you probably already know that children are most of risk of dog bites and, consequently, rabies exposure; and that using the school network is an efficient and effective way of giving them access to the knowledge that might save their life. Recent reports from our field projects show various ways in which we achieve this.
In Ilocos Norte this year, as in Sorsogon last year, rabies education is being included in the school curriculum. Facts about rabies are included in teaching materials for math, English, Filipino and science and health classes. Ensuring teachers use the materials is the hurdle. Dianne, our field vet in Ilocos Norte, recently shared this picture of Teacher Coordinators at an orientation session. The Teacher Coordinators act as the point of contact for their school. They share the materials with their colleagues, and encourage and report on their usage.
Early Years Interventions, like the one held recently at St. Ignatius School with the Armed Forces of the Philippines, ensure that young children also receive life-saving information. Coloring, story telling, and games help teach serious lessons in a fun, non-threatening way.
Sadly, not all children go to school. And if the risk of dog bites to street children is greatest of all. Rosebelle, our vet for Marikina City and Cainta, shared this photo of an activity aimed specifically at this disadvantaged group. Age appropriate activities included puppet shows for the younger children and a ‘game show’ for the older ones.
Our vets in Sorsogon and Nias, Ederlinda and Fahkri respectively, have also shared photos of activities they have carried out in local schools. In the first, the presenter answers the questions of 7th Grade students from St Louise De Marillac College; and in the second, jubilant students from a school in Nias island, Indonesia gather round for a photo graph with Fahkri after their rabies awareness day.
We at GARC are proud of these initiatives in our field projects but our ambitions for rabies awareness are bigger than we can ever achieve on our own. If you are involved in or have links to community health projects, take a look at the REC (Rabies Educator Certificate). Aimed at community health or veterinary workers, the REC equips candidates with accurate life-saving knowledge about rabies and is completely free. Please share the link with people in your network who may benefit - because education saves lives.