The Rofe Project returns to schools in Arrecife this school year thanks to the collaboration between the Departments of Education and Animal Welfare of the Arrecife City Council, led by Abigail González and Jacobo Lemes, respectively, together with the Dejando Huella Lanzarote Association.
The initiative, which last year focused on students with specific educational support needs (SEN) and those in Special Education Classrooms, expands its scope this year with a new line of work promoted by the Animal Welfare Area, with the aim of promoting empathy, coexistence, and respect for animals among schoolchildren in the municipality.
The sessions of the Education Area, under the responsibility of Abigail González, continue to feature Rofe, a dog specialized in interacting with people with special needs. This activity, which kicks off this Friday the 24th at the CEIP Antonio Zerolo, is aimed at promoting the emotional and social well-being of NEAE and Aula Enclave students through direct contact with the animal, working on social skills, emotional management, and self-esteem.
For its part, the Animal Welfare Area, under the direction of Jacobo Lemes, is launching a new series of workshops aimed at 5th and 6th grade classes in all schools in the municipality, with the purpose of promoting awareness about animal care and the importance of maintaining a healthy environment. These activities will begin tomorrow, Thursday the 23rd, at the CEIP Los Geranios and will include the participation of Rofe and Cartucho, the new canine member of Dejando Huella.
During these workshops, students will work on concepts such as One Health (“one nature”), learn how to behave civilly with animals in public environments, learn about the physical and emotional benefits that dogs provide, and discover how to interpret their body language to avoid conflicts and foster respectful relationships.
The Councillor for Education, Abigail González, emphasizes that "the Rofe Project is a unique opportunity to continue advancing towards an inclusive education that promotes the comprehensive well-being of our students. Rofe has proven to be a great ally in strengthening the self-esteem, empathy, and confidence of boys and girls with specific needs, and seeing how the project grows this year fills us with hope."
The Councillor for Animal Welfare, Jacobo Lemes, emphasizes for his part that "educating in respect for animals is also educating in respect among people. Through this initiative, we want our schoolchildren to understand the importance of caring for the environment and living responsibly with the animals that share our municipality."
The head of Dejando Huella Lanzarote, Elisa Sanz Naya, points out that "each session with Rofe and now also with Cartucho is an opportunity to sow values of empathy, respect, and well-being. If we can get boys and girls to understand that animals feel, that we must care for and respect them, we will be helping to create a more humane and conscious society."
The Rofe Project will be developed throughout the school year in the different CEIPs, CEO, and in the Arrecife Children's School, combining educational inclusion and animal awareness actions, and reaffirming the Arrecife City Council's commitment to comprehensive education and a more respectful coexistence with living beings and the environment.
