At BIS we care about the animals

Last week we had two special celebrities visit the school to pass on a very important message about how Vietnam can play an important role in helping to save the rhino; I was very happy to see how much RESPECT our students showed our visitors as they listened carefully to what they had to say.  As GLOBAL CITIZENS it is important to show how CARING we are as a school and through LEARNING TOGETHER we have been made aware how important and relevant this topic is to everyone here in Vietnam.  
Click on the Save The Rhino Vietnam to view a personal message from ‘Paul Blackthorne’ to BIS.
 
REFLECTION is another one of the characteristics we look to aspire to in our Aide Memoire; this week we have reflected on the message that both the British actor Paul Blackthorne and Vietnamese comedian Xuan Bac passed on to our staff and students, here are some of the comments.

After the presentations, I thought that I must do something about this problem. I can’t go around the world to tell people to stop buying or stop hunting the rhinos. So I decided to post a video on YouTube or post a small video on social media for everyone in the world to see the videos and I hope that the videos will change people’s mind!

Thai Uyen 6B

There are only 30,000 rhinos left in the wild. There have been no rhinos left in Vietnam since 2010. Eating rhino horn is the same as chewing your finger nails. Rhinos are left to die when people cut their horns out. 

Song Tung 6I

This was the first time I have ever received a full message about protecting such a lovely animal as the rhino from extinction, especially as it was given by celebrities.  It was a very impressive presentation with facts and figures; a clear, strong and easy-to-understand message - no way should we use rhino horns! The facts and sharing of information by Paul Blackthorne and Xuan Bac was not only interesting but very touching. From the bottom of my heart, I want to convey what I have learnt from their talks to as many people as possible, and I will definitely do that. I believe that our students have gained a lot from this as well. They will be ambassadors who spread the message of protecting rhinos by not using horns in any way to the community.

Ms Thao Nguyen, Business Director

The rhino has been a particularly important animal to me, and a personal symbol of conservation since I worked at a rhino sanctuary in Botswana when I was 18. The total number of rhinos in the entire country back then was 25, 23 of which were in the sanctuary. And only one of the rhinos was black. It was amazing to see the message of conservation being spread here at BIS and the powerful presentation will hopefully help to address this urgent issue.

Mr Westropp, Science Teacher

The feedback from our guests is what a wonderful school and fantastic children we have here at BIS.  Here is a letter from Education for Nature Vietnam (ENV) who helped to set up the event.

“It is our great chance to work with the British International School, Long Bien campus in this campaign and I would like to express our sincere thanks and appreciation to Mr. Rowlands, Ms. Hill, teachers, students of BIS and especially you for your time and support. I am very glad to know that the "save the rhino" message reached the students, all the feedback and video you share we will make it viral and example for other awareness activities”.

Ninh Thi Phương Thao (Ms), Education for Nature Vietnam (ENV) Demand Reduction Program Coordinator

It was also wonderful to see so many students and staff pledging on our special display boards to NEVER use rhino horn.

Remember the Edward Burke quote –
 “The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing.”

Ms. Hill set a challenge for us all to talk to at least 10 people to educate them and stop the demand for rhino horn here in Vietnam.  To help with this Year 6 made a video that is now on YouTube; please take the time to view and share the link below.

Help our students pass on the message - If we stop the demand, it will stop the killing and we can save these magnificent creatures.

Mr. Kevin Halpin – Community Service Liaison Officer