In May 2019, Cartagena Paws went to San Basilio de Palenque, a small tourist destination outside of Cartagena, to initiate the first ever educational event. Cartagena Paws partnered with a Peace Corps volunteer, Issac, and the local school to raise awareness of the treatment of animals in the town and the abundance of waste littering the streets.
Since Palenque is a tourist destination, we would get pleas from tourists reaching out to us about hurt, neglected, or abused animals they would see while on tours there. One amazing volunteer, Raeka, went as far as to develop and fund a way to make helping the animals self-sustainable in the town. Raeka thought that a food and water dispenser, called a ComeDog, could be placed in the town and promoted by the tour guides to tourists. Then the tourist could purchase food for the dispenser at the local corner store, refilling the food and also helping the economy of the town. During this pivotal first event, we were able to install the ComeDog and promote why it is important to the town's success.
For the event itself, 10+`volunteers came to Palenque to participate in the clean up and educational lessons. The event started with
50+ young Palenqueros, ages 4 -18, and the volunteers taking to the streets with gloves and trash bags in a cleanup initiative. Afterwards, we returned to the school to do a presentation and activites. First, we talked about the connection between animals and humans. Then, we started the activities, ranging from planting seeds for the community garden; reading Clifford books about animal behavior; drawing and painting animals needs, and discussions on the treatment of animals and the perspections of tourists.
The final part was installing the ComeDog in the center plaza of town and giving food to its first hungry bellies.
Since Palenque is a tourist destination, we would get pleas from tourists reaching out to us about hurt, neglected, or abused animals they would see while on tours there. One amazing volunteer, Raeka, went as far as to develop and fund a way to make helping the animals self-sustainable in the town. Raeka thought that a food and water dispenser, called a ComeDog, could be placed in the town and promoted by the tour guides to tourists. Then the tourist could purchase food for the dispenser at the local corner store, refilling the food and also helping the economy of the town. During this pivotal first event, we were able to install the ComeDog and promote why it is important to the town's success.
For the event itself, 10+`volunteers came to Palenque to participate in the clean up and educational lessons. The event started with
50+ young Palenqueros, ages 4 -18, and the volunteers taking to the streets with gloves and trash bags in a cleanup initiative. Afterwards, we returned to the school to do a presentation and activites. First, we talked about the connection between animals and humans. Then, we started the activities, ranging from planting seeds for the community garden; reading Clifford books about animal behavior; drawing and painting animals needs, and discussions on the treatment of animals and the perspections of tourists.
The final part was installing the ComeDog in the center plaza of town and giving food to its first hungry bellies.
Photo credit to volunteers at the event.
Thank you to our volunteers: Luisito, Annie, Jon, Heather, Julie, Angie, Jaz, Jennifer, Tomas, Emilio, Oscar, Issac, Jhon Freddy, Barbara Luis, & David.
Video By: Luke Escanlar