The sound of wonder imprinted on the universe
Listen! Be very still.
If you listen carefully, you might hear bursts of laughter wafting through the air. Excited shrills penetrate the atmosphere and drift into your ears. An occasional shriek of fear or an excited whoop of delight carry into your consciousness.
Can you hear it?
Those joy-filled sounds carried North from Medellin, Colombia on the day that kids from Casa de Sueños had their first-ever visit to a zoo!
How do you explain such joy?
Do you remember the very first time you visited a zoo? There was a physical thrill of seeing animals up close that you had no idea existed or of being near an animal you had only seen on television.
The excitement was electric when thirty-five children from Casa de Sueños stepped into the zoo at Parque de la Conservación in Medellin. Not a single child of those thirty-five kids had ever visited a zoo, and many didn’t even know such places existed, even though this one was in the center of their own city.
When they discovered it, they were thrilled.
Wonder. Fear. Surprise. Awe.
The expressions of kids looking at the animals ran the gamut of emotions. Sometimes, kids screamed when they saw the bigger, dangerous animals, like the jaguars, the bears, and the crocodiles. Often, they were fascinated by the animals, intent on watching and learning about them.
Casa de Sueños goes to the zoo – and broadens the horizons of children
Zoos broaden the horizons of children and adults. They teach about the need for animal protection and conservation in a big world outside of the inquilinatos. Zoos educate us about other countries and other geographical regions, along with the different traits of species. Because of zoos, we can see animals that otherwise we would never be able to view.
Visits to zoos also reduce the effects of depression and loneliness, along with lowering stress.
The underprivileged kids of Medellin benefitted in so many ways when Casa de Sueños went to the zoo.
They’re still talking about their trip!
Casa de Sueños provides opportunities for learning
A trip to the zoo may not seem like a big deal for a family with means, but to these kids whose families struggle to pay the nightly rent and feed them, it’s a huge thing.
The memories made and the lessons learned memory will last a lifetime. Casa de Sueños provides opportunities for learning as well as for playing and exploration of the world, knowing that these children will grow up knowing that there are possibilities outside the poverty of the inquilinatos. Who knows? Maybe a child will grow up to be a zoologist or veterinarian because of their experience.
When Casa de Suenos goes to the zoo, the kids also build friendships
Oscar, one of the teachers who accompanied the children on the trip, noted that it was a special moment when these kids came upon a play area at the zoo.
Not only were they excited about all the animals they had seen, but they also got to play with their friends and play on fake animals, cementing the good memories of the day and solidifying friendships.
Help Make These Experiences Possible
The programs at Casa de Sueños, Medellin’s premier foundation for poor children and abused young women, are made possible only through your donations.
If you’d like to bring joy, expand horizons, and positively affect the trajectory of the future, donate to Casa de Sueños.
Then stop and listen.
You’ll hear the whispered thanks of happy children that will linger on the breeze and resonate in your heart.