“Change Your World” June 1st, 2009
Last week the girls of Johannesburg gotten taken to work. In the various businesses such as the Water Department, the Zoo, and the Johannesburg fine dining restaurants, girls followed staff around for a day. Companies throughout the city have supported this initiative, and have given themes to the annual event, this year’s theme being, “Change Your World”. The girls were questioned on their interests and matched up with the companies participating in the event, based on those interests. Fourteen answered that environmental issues and conservation were concerns of theirs, and were hence, taken to the zoo for the day. The girls learned about the various animals and the history and care given to each one, and many showed a particular interest in the marine biology section of the zoo. Many expressed a desire to attend college with these issues as their focus of study. They were all given the opportunity to come back to the zoo throughout their years in high school to volunteer.
The trip to the Johannesburg Zoo was an educational experience for the young women. They were given lessons on the various diets and feeding techniques of the different animals and given a tour of the veterinary clinic. They were told what happens when the animals get sick and how they are studied when the died. Other girls choose to go to the water department of the city. More business oriented than the Zoo, the girls were given experience with the aspects of human resources, engineering, and finance and marketing departments. In both cases the girls were given encouragement and support in the significance of further study, and the opportunities that exist for those women who do continue their education. Another day similar will occur on June 11th, as the parents of Johannesburg are encouraged to bring their children to work with them in an effort to once again, make them aware of the opportunities that are there for them should they want to take advantage of them.
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