Introducing volunteerism and sea turtles to children

31/05/2011

A very unforgettable Saturday Afternoon Story Hour for our young friends took place on 14 May at the Pataki Bookstore in Athens. Many young readers were at the presentation of the book Τα χελωνάκια του Παύλου (Paulʼs turtles) by Sofia Kalantzakou.

Children of all ages were very enthusiastic about and impressed by both the author, who welcomed them wholeheartedly, and by the big surprise which was waiting for them: The Parodos team had prepared a visual approach to the story of the much-loved book. Members of the team invited the children to create a fantastic collage of a Caretta caretta, which they then gave to Ms. Kalantzakou for a gift.

But that wasnʼt all: Parodos presented their adaptation of the story in the form of a theatrical play. Thus, the story of Paul, a boy who (together with his friends) decides to become an ARCHELON volunteer that summer in Kyparissia, unfolded before our eyes. There, together with ARCHELON, he saw the mother Caretta caretta turtles go onto the beach, dig their nests, and lay their eggs. He also saw the hatchlings pop up through the sand and head towards the sea.

Paul became enthusiastic about the idea of volunteerism and the new friends he made, people who had come from countries all over the world to help protect the endangered Caretta caretta sea turtles. Paul also saw in practice what even small children can do to help an endangered species and the environment.

We would like to greatly thank Ms Sofia Kalantzakou, who loves ARCHELON so much that through her story, she has made many others love us as well. We would also like to warmly thank the Pataki Bookstore for the excellent organisation of the event and, of course, many thanks to the Parodos team for their fantastic theatrical adaptation of the story Τα χελωνάκια του Παύλου (Paulʼs turtles).

Translation by Joanne Stournara

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