Youngsters who learn to treat domestic animals with tender loving care are inclined to show respect and compassion for all living. This is the underlying premise of Guardians of the Planet, a novel curriculum being introduced in lakeside area grade school classrooms by the Alianza por una Educación Humanitaria-Humane Education Alliance (APEA).
APEA was founded in January 2011, operating under the umbrella of the non-profit organizations: Lakeside Friends of the Animals, La Tienda de la Ciencia and the Mariposa Project. Next month APEH will complete the second year of a fine-tuned outreach program involving 3,000 children in 31 primary schools.
Spearheaded by María Teresa Jiménez González, professor and founding director of La Tienda de la Ciencia (The Science Tent), the project aims to promote and instill fundamental human values such as empathy, non-violence, justice and personal responsibility, while building each student’s knowledge, abilities for critical thinking and sense of self-esteem.
The curriculum has received the seal of approval from Mexico’s Ministry of Education. Application of the program relies on a small team of active volunteers, universituy students recruited to serve as classroom coaches, and the cooperation of local school administrators and teaching staff.
APEA provides training to Spanish-speaking instructors who lead the Guardians of the Planet study course that is offered to third, fourth and fifth grade students in six weekly sessions held at each institution. Following lessons plan spelled out in a specially crafted teaching guide, their mission is “to educate children in care, protection and responsibility to all species and promote awareness among people of all ages about how to live and behave toward animals, the environment and each other.” 
Following the handbook’s introductory slogan “we care, we share, we protect,” the course also addresses the hot-button issue of bullying in the school environment.
Group activities include video viewings, discussions, writing exercises and art projects.
The first session begins with reading and reflections on an extract from the UNESCO Earth Letter that talks about treating all people, animals and plants with kindness, the positive qualities of friendship and sharing, and demonstrating respect and appreciation for others.
Topics covered in subsequent classes delve into nature and living species; emotions, the senses and brain function; human and animal rights; and care for companion animals.
The theme of the final teaching unit goes under the acronym E.S.P.E.R.A., s
ignifying the Spanish word for hope. The content as represented by each letter touches on all aspects of animal care, encompassing education, health, protection, sterilization, respect and adoption. APEH instructors purposely avoid using the term mascota (pet) which is considered to imply a concept of ownership that may propitiate neglect or abuse of domestic creatures.
APEH is forging ahead towards its goal of introducing the Guardians of the Planet program in 20 more lakeside schools remaining on the waiting list. The teacher’s manual is available in Spanish and English to other organizations that share similar objectives.
For further information, persons interested in supporting the cause are welcome to contact bilingual program coordinator Martha Mena at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or Cell 333-570-1494 or Friends of the Animals board member John Marshall, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or phone 766-1170. Or follow Alianza por una Educación Humanitaria postings on Facebook.