OHCC UGM AND OHCC UDAYANA HOLD BOOK LAUNCH AND STORYTELLING EVENT FOR CHILDREN IN YOGYAKARTA Partners

• Posted by: Admin
• Rabu, 20 Desember 2023
• Has been read 6 time(s)

OHCC UGM AND OHCC UDAYANA HOLD BOOK LAUNCH AND STORYTELLING EVENT FOR CHILDREN IN YOGYAKARTA

YOGYAKARTA– Indonesia is one of the Southeast Asian countries involved in the trade of wild animals in domestic and international markets.[1] According to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), Indonesia exported approximately 25,672 wildlife specimens to several other countries between 2016 and 2021.[2] However, upon closer examination, wildlife trade carries various health risks and causes environmental damage. The risk of transmission from wildlife trade, in the form of pathogens, poses a threat of zoonotic diseases, such as Rabies, Avian Influenza, Leptospirosis, Salmonellosis, and Pox.

The One Health Collaborating Center of Gadjah Mada University (OHCC UGM) Yogyakarta collaborated with the One Health Collaborating Center of Udayana University (OHCC Udayana) Bali to hold a book launch and children's storytelling performance at SD Negeri Bangirejo 1 Yogyakarta on 19/12/2023. This event was part of the "One Health Approach to Raise Wildlife Protection Awareness in Indonesia" program, abbreviated as OHAWE, which aims to introduce the One Health approach and foster early awareness in children to protect health and preserve wildlife in Indonesia. The implementation of this program is fully supported by the International Alliance Against Health Risks in Wildlife Trade (implemented by The Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit or GIZ Germany).

The released children's storybook is titled "Save Kal!" which tells the story of a bat named Kal who comes into direct contact with humans and is eventually hunted for consumption. This hunting and consumption certainly risks transmitting diseases from animals to humans if it continues. The book's development team incorporated elements of local wisdom, such as themes, animal species, culture, and settings characteristic of the Yogyakarta region. This book was composed by Veronica Widyastuti as the story creator and Salma Intifada as the illustrator. Readers will be presented with a story close to everyday life to leave a more relatable impression. Furthermore, the presentation of the book in three languages—Indonesian, Javanese, and English—will provide adequate insight for children in the region about wildlife and its risks. Children are also expected to be capable of creating more change after developing respect and an appreciative attitude towards wildlife from an early age.

Key information from the storybook was then adapted and performed through live storytelling by the storyteller Syakirinu in front of the students. During the storytelling, the students attending the event were treated to a performance by the character which conveyed moral messages and health information. It is hoped that this will be understood and implemented by the young generation, who will become agents of change in the future.

Together with other OHCC networks in Indonesia, this program strives to reach from the western to the eastern parts of Indonesia. A broader reach can enhance efforts to massively deliver knowledge and raise public awareness regarding the risks and threats of the wildlife trade.