Human Values Day and Earth Day in Venezuela

In the state of Trujillo, ten children between the ages of five and nine from the Sathya Sai Complementary School of Trujillo participated in a World Human Values Day observance on 24^th April 2017. The children learned the significance of Human Values Day and with great joy and enthusiasm created artwork showcasing the five human values of truth, right conduct, peace, love, and nonviolence. They were taught the importance of unity as exemplified by the fingers of the hand that work together, by tracing their fingers and hands to symbolise the joining of the five human values. On 25^th April, the human values learning activities continued with the children preparing posters displaying human values messages. Each child selected a human value and created a written message about it on a poster. The children then took home their posters as gifts for their families. Some children expressed love for parents and families; others wrote about the importance of water and its uses, and others about the joy of peace on earth. The children also expressed love and gratitude to their teachers for the opportunity to participate in this event.

On the same day in the state of Lara, 45 preschool children with their respective teachers from the María Pereira de Daza Early Education Center joined Prof. Lili Suarez to celebrate Earth Day and World Human Values Day. The children recited memorised poems with joy and enthusiasm, and presented beautiful songs. On 27^th April 2017, 40 children of the Initial Education Center María Pereira de Daza, along with 12 teachers and 40 parents, convened at the Bolivarian Center for Special Children, for a joyful sharing of poetry, songs, and drama performances in honour of Earth Day (22^nd April) and World Human Values Day (24^th April). The venue, the Divina Pastora College auditorium in Barquisimeto, Lara, had been decorated with colourful posters that expressed togetherness, cooperation, and communication. Approximately 100 children recited with joyful confidence the poems they had learned.

In the state of Carabobo, on 19^th April 2017, the Dr. Raúl Leoni School and the Mariara National School participated in a Walk for Human Values organised by Prof. Flor Orosco. To spread human values, she invited community involvement by advertising the event on Mariara Radio for three days prior to the walk. The event began with breakfast and photo sessions in the school gardens, followed by an orientation for students, parents, teachers, and members of the community. Then, the group of 350 people walked cheerfully and enthusiastically through the main streets of Mariara, with the children carrying posters about human values, as well logos and school banners, and the Venezuela national and Carabobo state flags. The younger students, along with their teachers, wore costumes and masks representing the Earth, water, nature, animals, and trees. Participants carried banners and posters encouraging conservation of resources and the practice of human values. They also enlivened the march with matracas (wooden rattles), whistles, and maracas (handheld musical instruments) to accompany the overall message of caring for Mother Earth. Afterward, Prof. Flor Orosco offered thanks to the directors, teachers, and students of the schools who made the walk possible and to all participants. Younger students performed skits and recited poems about human values and conservation of Earth’s resources, and to conclude, everyone joined in a song about the unity of all creation.