On Monday, the 10th of June 2024, DAIS had the honour of hosting PETA India's Ellie, the animatronic elephant, as part of a series of engaging sessions for students from LKG to 8th grade. Ellie was designed to educate and inspire compassion for animals and raise awareness about elephant conservation.
During these sessions, the primary goals were to foster empathy and understanding for elephants, educate and encourage students to reflect on the challenges faced by captive elephants, and spark discussions about compassion for all living beings.
The DAIS students meticulously planned the sessions to ensure they were age appropriate. Each session was tailored to the respective grades, while also incorporating elements of fun to enhance learning.
Before the arrival of students, Ellie arrived at the DAIS campus and was subsequently transported to the school auditorium for the sessions. The student volunteers gathered to meet her, learnt her story, and were quick to use their knowledge and surroundings to maximize the quality of the session.
The success of Ellie's visit was a result of effective collaboration between the 65-student volunteers. This collaboration ensured that the activities were engaging and impactful. The planning process involved dividing the leaders into different groups based on the grade they were planning for, and after deciding on the main activities with the teachers, the smaller groups came up with the details. Once these activities were finalized, they split into their allocation groups to have mock sessions to practice which would be essential to ensure that the final sessions were seamless and impactful.
The leaders met during every break to discuss their plans, ensuring all 65 leaders were aligned. Two days before the final event, they faced a challenge when they learned that Ellie would speak for 14 minutes instead of the initially planned 7 minutes, which they adapted by prioritizing their activities.
Throughout the day, mentors conducted inspiring sessions that motivated students to take action and make a difference in the lives of animals. Ellie's unique way of telling her story significantly contributed to this impact. Ishaan Surve, a supervising student and RS Core Leader, noted that Ellie's perspective as an elephant greatly enhanced the connection with the students, making it easier for them to grasp and empathize with her message.
During PYP sessions, insightful discussions were conducted as students reflected on how they may have inadvertently supported animal cruelty by attending circuses with animal acts or participating in animal rides. Volunteers instilled a deep sense of empathy among students, encouraging them to consider the welfare of animals as well as the feelings of their peers. Additionally, students explored practical ways to demonstrate greater empathy and compassion in their daily lives.
MYP students devised innovative solutions aimed at ending animal abuse and advocating for the liberation of circus animals. They also committed to pledges, in which they would not attend circuses with animal acts and refraining from participating in animal rides in the future.
Our Reflection -
Ellie's visit instilled values of empathy and compassion, fostering a culture of respect not only towards animals but also towards everyone in their school community. The sessions centered around Ellie empowered students to advocate for equal rights and embrace greater empathy in their interactions with others, marking a significant step towards creating a more inclusive and compassionate environment.
