AAE and World Environment Day

Animal Aid Egypt (AAE) and The Donkey Sanctuary participated in the World Environment Day on June 20, 2009 in collaboration with Bibliotheca Alexandrina. The celebration was organized by the Planetarium Science Center (PSC). Gates were opened to the public at 9:00 am and lasted till the evening with festivities and awareness campaigns in action on the BA plaza.

Thanks to Eng. Hoda El Mikaty, director of the PSC and her team, booths were set up for the diverse participating projects (Community zone, Environmental activity zone, Bibliotheca Alexandrina zone and Exhibition zone). Animal Aid Egypt, chaired by Ms. Dina Zulficar, took the advantage of the initiative and the present swarms of school children eager to learn more about the surrounding environment and the different ways in which they could preserve it, in order to spread awareness regarding animal welfare..

Members of AAE, WSPA and Donkey Sanctuary were present in the booth to offer activities for the public of which coloring print-outs of animals, origami and face-painting were the most popular. The members included Ms. Mai Hamada, Mrs. Doha Fahmy, Dr. Sahar Hamouda, Mrs. Wafaa and her 4 sons, Ms. Iris, Ms. Rebecca Flores, Colonel Akram Elhosany, Colonel Hossam and Ms. Amy Elshaarawy. The main objective was to draw ordinary peoples’ attention to the existence of such associations for animal aid in Egypt and most recently in Alexandria. The idea was to integrate information about the organization and its activities with entertaining activities and a public-friendly demeanor. Educational publications in English and Arabic accompanied by illustrations were distributed to all whom showed interest or curiosity. The crew members were prepared for all the questions the public approaching the booth. Moreover, the AAE members prepared a fun questionnaire of their own to enrich the children’s general knowledge regarding animals, their characteristics and needs.

We acquired a few new members, and a number of local and satellite TV channels were present to film and interview the whole event. AAE was also filmed colouring the faces of children and some of its members were interviewed. AAE therefore increased its visibility and hopefully more people will get to know about it.

At the end of this successful day one can say that it was well worth it. Thinking of the number of smiles that were put on these crowds’ face and the consequent warmth and peace they’ll in turn put in the animals’ little hearts, It is in the least a minor step towards true animal aid deserving a round of applaud.

By: Amy Elshaarawy [ Member of Animal Aid Egypt ]