Rabies prevention puppet show educates more school children

In Marikina City and Cainta, two of GARC’s project sites in the Philippines, puppet shows are being used as a novel way to educate children about rabies prevention. Initially held in public elementary schools, the shows reach out to school kids from ages 4 to 12 years old (Kinder to 6th Grade). 

Through the initiative of the City Veterinary Office of Marikina City, a local artist group Pinoy Malikhain (Creative Filipino) was tapped to create the puppets as well as the story for the show. Mr. Mark David Cerezo, the head of Pinoy Malikhain, is the story narrator and facilitates lively exchanges with the children after each show to reinforce the messages on rabies prevention and responsible pet ownership.

The children learn about rabies in a fun and interactive way as they are engaged in a story about a pet dog (Bantay) that roamed in the streets to look for his friend dog (Tagpi) who escaped from their owner’s house. The story then evolves in Tagpi being suspected for rabies because he encountered a rabies-infected dog (Bogart) while roaming in the streets.

Information about how humans and animals can be infected with rabies was integrated in the story. Key messages on animal bite management (what animal bite victims should do and what to do with the biting animal), vaccination and responsible pet ownership were emphasized in the story of the puppet show.

After the puppet show the children were asked questions to reinforce the messages on responsible pet ownership and rabies prevention. Prizes, such as school supplies like pencils and notebooks, are given to children who participated in the ‘question and answer’ part of the program.

The first puppet show was held at Industrial Valley Elementary School in Marikina City last March 10. Since then 2-3 schools are targeted each week and have been expanded to private elementary schools. From March to mid-September around 20,300 school children (about 20,000 in Marikina City and 300 in Cainta) watched the show. The puppet shows are ongoing until March 2015.

By: Elaine Llarena (with reports from Dr. Rosebelle Gamal)