Project Asiniamo: 290 students learning empathy with the donkeys
Italian school year is ending and we are sure that, for 290 children of six schools from Biella County, among the unforgettable memories (those that remain well beyond questioning and verification) there will also be donkeys from our Rifugio and the ASINIamo project.
Thanks to our very own Laura Benzi (officer of activities with donkeys and donkey coadjutor) and to Francesca Paschetto (master trainee in educational and rehabilitative assisted interventions with animals), we have been able to bring some of our values inside 19 classrooms: the importance of meeting, exchange, knowledge as basis of respect, towards donkeys and every living being.
To transmit them to the youngest (most of children where from primary schools, but 39 children were still at nursery school) we have translated these values into role-playing games, where the children became donkeys (realizing that it is not bad at all, in spite of prejudices and stereotypes!), and we brought hay, apples, carrots, brushes to the classes, so they everyone could experience donkeys' routine.
And, after 57 hours in class, finally the meeting: day after day, the pupils involved in Asiniamo project arrived at our Rifugio. They went into the stable on tiptoe and came out with their eyes shining, a few more donkey hair over them and, above all, new, fantastic friends with long ears.
We have sown a lot, in this path: seeds of empathy, curiosity towards the other (so different and so similar), desire and ability to understand and go beyond the clichés. Because, as we wrote presenting the project to schools, "Curiosity, the basis of every growth and progress of humans, is an effective weapon against prejudices and injustices.When you ask, when you care, when you know, when you understand, when you identify yourself with me, there can no longer be prejudice nor judgment, nor, even less, abuse ".
Empathy lessons that are priceless ... and have not even been for schools: our shelter has taken charge of all expenses related to Asiniamo. If you want to help us spread more and more the culture of respect towards every living being, you can contribute with a donation to our projects with schools: because, as Jane Goodall says "You can not save the world by yourself, but you can inspire an entire generation of children to do it for all of us." You will be surprised at what inspired children can do. "
