Jane Goodall’s journey to becoming a world-renowned scientist, conservationist, and animal lover started from a young age. As a child, she loved being outdoors, surrounded by nature, and learning about animals. When she was just 5 years old, her determination to discover where eggs come from led her to sit for hours in a hen house where she witnessed first-hand the wonder of a hen laying its egg. However, the animal that provided Jane with the greatest companionship and taught her most about animals’ personalities and emotional intelligence was her childhood dog, Rusty.
Jane Goodall and Rusty
Writing Competition
Roots & Shoots want you to write a short story about an encounter with an animal (like Jane and the hen) or an animal companion (like Rusty the dog) that has changed your life or inspired you. You may be as creative as you like but please limit your story to maximum 500 words.
They’re looking for inspiring stories and a detailed description of how this has affected you.
Prizes will be given to 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place!
Prizes include:
- Vaccination package for your animal friend courtesy of ICVS Veterinary Hospital, Beijing
- Free mentoring session with international education expert courtesy of Holland Park Education
- Pack of animal-shaped soaps from Blissful Handmade Soaps
Please note, this competition is for students aged 5-25 only.
How to Take Part
Please send your finished story to issydickson@genyuya.org.cn by latest Friday, Feb 5.
For any questions please do get in touch.
Winners will be announced after the Chinese New Year holiday.
Women’s Empowerment Project
The competition is taking place to kick-start Roots & Shoots’ Women’s Empowerment Project. Over the course of the next year, they will be organizing various events and activities, all of which are inspired by Jane Goodall’s life.
The project is divided into three chapters based on Jane’s early life, career, and work as an activist. As part of the first chapter, the focus of this event is Jane’s childhood and the impact that growing up with animals had on her in later life.
The aims of the project include:
- Bringing together a community of like-minded people and companies who care both about the environment and empowering women.
- To inspire women and girls in China through Dr. Goodall’s story to follow in her footsteps: to push themselves to follow their dreams and achieve their goals.
- To bring animals and humans together, showing the importance of inter-species relationships and that we are all connected.
KEEP READING: Save the Day: How to Rescue an Animal – and Whether You Should
Images: Courtesy of Roots & Shoots
