In a message to this reporter on social media this week, Fátima Galvão, president of the Macau Association for Stray Dogs and Animal Welfare (MASDAW), wrote about how students from Escola Portuguesa de Macau (EPM – Macau’s Portuguese School) organised a raft of activities to raise money for her charity and awareness throughout its campus about protecting and respecting all living creatures and our planet.
Galvão said that as the students are aware of the work that MASDAW has been doing for the last 14 years to protect and save Macau’s street animals and the struggles the association has gone through, and still is going through, over the years due to lack of space, financial difficulties and low adoption rates, they decided to start a fund-raising campaign.
Galvão wrote that “April is globally recognised as “Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Month”, with orange as the official campaign colour.” Throughout the month everyone is encouraged to join the “Go Orange for Animals” drive by wearing or displaying orange as a symbol of awareness of the fight against abuse, and the defence of animal rights.
Galvão went on to say that animal protection associations worldwide promote the initiative by letting people know about the importance of reporting neglect, advocating for humane treatment, and encouraging anyone considering getting a pet of any type to adopt and not shop.
“In Macau, the 7th Grade students of classes A, B and C at EPM, within the framework of a DAC (Domains of Curricular Autonomy) project led by teachers Cristina Street and Alexandra Domingues, and involving the subjects of Portuguese/PLNM [Portuguese as a Second Language], English and ICT (Information and Communication Technology), organised a variety of activities and materials to raise awareness among the entire school community about our responsibility to protect and respect not only other species, but also nature and planet Earth”, Galvão said.
The students decided that they would sell raffle tickets to raise money for MASDAW and the draw took place on June 5, which was attended by three members of MASDAW, Galvão (President), Alexandra Ferreira (co‑founder), and “Coffee, an 11‑year‑old dog born in Coloane – a true Macau dog – who delighted all the students with her calmness and sweetness,” Galvão said.
Galvão said that the total amount raised was 4,000 patacas which helped enormously towards the purchase of 5/1 vaccines*, essential to keep all dogs healthy and protected against contagious diseases.
Galvão added that the “MASDAW team left the Escola Portuguesa de Macau with full hearts, grateful and hopeful that this inspiring example will be followed by many other educational institutions in Macau. For only through raising awareness among today’s children and young people can we build a more compassionate and respectful world for all living beings tomorrow”.
* The 5 In 1 Vaccine for dogs offers protection against five diseases. These include Distemper, Hepatitis, Parvovirus, Parainfluenza, and Leptospirosis. The vaccine simplifies the process of safeguarding a dog’s health. It minimises the number of injections needed.
This undated photo taken last month at Escola Portuguesa de Macau (EPM) in central district shows 7th grade students of classes A, B and C posing with their teachers Alexandra Pozal (left), Cristina Street, (second from left) and Macau Association for Stray Dogs and Animal Welfare (MASDAW) President Fátima Galvão (front, centre) holding Macau ex-street dog Coffee, the star of the day! – Photo provided by Fátima Galvão
