Advocacy: Soi Dog Rescue
Posted by Stuart at 01:43 PM on August 25, 2005In my computer class this week I was talking about the different kinds of web sites: Portal, Information (Government), Business/Marketing, News, Advocacy, and Personal. I think my students had the hardest time with the idea of an "Advocacy" website. Afterall, it seems that in Thailand, a place where everyone is happy and rarely challenges the status quo, that "advocacy" is not a popular theme.
Some of my farang students, however, understand the idea of advocay very well. Some of them have created an organization called "Soi Dog Rescue". As I have mentioned before on this site, Thailand is over run with stray dogs. They are mostly gentle, and even though many of them have horrible skin diseases of one type or another,they still reproduce like mad. The Soi Dog Rescue is one student group is looking to help change all that.
As the Soi Dog Rescue website states:
Soi Dog Rescue (SDR) is a non-profit organization set up by a group of international volunteers in Thailand, who intend to help improve the lives of Thailand’s street dogs and, in doing so, creating a happier, healthier environment for all beings. Through community based programs conducting sterilizations, education and adoption, the SDR staff believe this project will benefit both humans and canines. They believe the best and most effective way to solve the street dog problem is to first educate the public on ways to help the street dogs and prevent them from reproducing.In any case, it's an excellent example of an advocacy website in Thailand. I just wish that my Thai students would also find a desire for advocacy.
Advocacy concept is understood among inspired people, might not be in the form of website and particularly the students in SG`s class. The stray dogs situations are based on Buddhism about every life is sacred. Which is irrelevent with the health hazard in which they carry diseases. Things are being done in a snail pace due to the year round heat/humidity. You don`t know until you live here everyday. Don`t you feel the heat?Khun SG!.
Thanks for the comment Thaiteak. I am all for the Buddhist philosophy of "every life is sacred". However, I think that it should be taken a step further and these dogs should be taken care of and neutered. I also think that a lot of the strays come from people who abandon their pets. Very sad.
I also wonder about your comment about the heat and humidity. I can kinda see the argument, but Singapore is hotter and more humid... and everyone works like crazy there. What gives? ;)
Comparing cultures is quite interesting, eh?
- Stuart
Take that "Buddhism" + Animism +Hinduism+ Heat+ Hmidity into account and we have a cocktail of excuses and lazy officials. The belief is misinterpreted/misused or plain excuses. I know that the City has dog pounds and HMH-the King is active in it. We need more inspired advocates. I sometimes wonder why this stray dog issue is never in government`s agenda when it is involved health concerns. You are a teacher w/o borders-please inspire your students. We are in this world to make it a better place, don`t you agree?.
About Singapore, I know that it`s hot but not every minute that`s hotter-yes they work like mad in heat. I don`t know why, may be they have better immigrations policy than Thailand. I suppose!.
Believe me, it is a daily goal for all of the foreign teachers at my school to "inspire the students". Unfortunately, our words often go the way of "You can lead a horse to water..."
- Stuart
What a cultural difference! It's hard to imagine a college environment that doesn't have a bunch of activists.