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'THE
UNLIKELY BURDEN
AND OTHER STORIES'
World
Society for the Protection of
Animals and 'Sasa Sema' Publications
Coastweek
- - Honourable Dr
Noah Wekesa, Acting Minister for Education, Science and Technology,
has launched a Declaration Of Animal Welfare In Kenya at the Nairobi
International Book Fair on 27th September.
A children's book of short stories forms part of the initiative: to
transform perceptions of animals in Africa.
The
book is co-published by The World Society for the Protection of
Animals (WSPA) and Sasa Sema Publications.
It
is entitled: The Unlikely Burden and Other
Stories,
illustrated in full colour through out.
There are sixteen short stories concerning the relationships
we have with farm animals, pets and wildlife.
Each section includes a variety of activities to be used in
homes and in primary school classrooms.
Hon. Wekesa wrote in his introduction to the book:
"Who
has decided that it is only humans that deserve to be
treated fairly ?
"While
we human beings have appointed ourselves as governors of
this planet, this comes with a responsibility of providing
our fellow earthlings with their basic welfare."
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Coastweek
- - The
Unlikely
Burden And Other Stories.
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Hon.
Wekesa has been a consistent supporter of WSPA and its aims.
"Dr
Wekesa's support re-in-forces the importance of education in improving
animal welfare standards," said Nigel Wilson, the Africa Director
for the World Society for the Protection of Animals.
"Education and awareness are more effective in protecting animals
than legislation and enforcement alone."
And, indeed, the anthology for children aged 9 - 14 looks set to
become an approved school text book in many African countries.
The sixteen stories are written by various authors around the African
continent.
Kenyan authors include Jomo Kenyatta Literature Prize winners Ken
Walibora, Stanley Gazemba and Ruth Wairimu, journalists Rupi Mangat,
Ng'ang'a Mbugua and Patrick Ngugi, and the poet Stephen Partington.
The
illustrations are by a young Kenyan artist, Kevin Ameya.
A
rising population, along with deepening poverty, is putting pressure
on Africa's wildlife, working animals and food animals.
In
turn this impoverishes the humans dependent on them. Moreover,
exposure to mistreatment of animals encourages mistreatment of human
beings as well.
"There's evidence that children who have learned to treat animals
humanely grow up more empathetic towards other people."
The
stories highlight the symbiotic relationship between humans and
animals.
For
example, The Batwatcher explains how protecting animal habitats
protects our own environment.
In The Unlikely Burden, the village bully is forced to accept help
from a donkey he has mistreated.
In Pygmy Hunted we learn that it is not just the one who kills the
animal who is at fault.
Eleven-year-old reader Andrea Kenneth from Nairobi said:
"The
goats were funny and the book made me wonder how it is to be a goat.
"Some
of the stories go from sad to happy and some leave you in suspense - I
like that."
Caine Prize winner, Yvonne Owuor, commented:
"This
little book is an important step in reclaiming the intrinsically
African sense of inter-species tolerance and co-existence ...Read this
book with your children !"
The Unlikely Burden and Other Stories is available from Sasa Sema
Publications: P.O. Box 13956, Nairobi 00800 Kenya
WSPA has distributed copies to schools ten countries around the
continent with a grant from the World Animal Network.
Further
Information and Ordering - readers in the United Kingdom can order
copies from Cana Publishing: www.canapublishinguk.com
[five
per cent of proceeds go to WSPA's education programme in Africa]
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