Serving Our Community
Although the primary beneficiaries of the Boo Boo Zoo are hundreds of rescued animals, the lives of many humans, especially children and teens, have also been enriched.
Encounters with animals complement classroom education and can build empathy, self-confidence, environmental awareness, and healing.
Among the schools and community groups that have been welcomed to the Boo Boo Zoo are King Kamehameha School Just Serve Club, Seabury Hall, Boys and Girls Club, Girl Scouts, Montessori School of Maui and the 4H Club. After meeting the animals, some of the young visitors have done volunteer work and even launched fundraising projects.
“The greatest benefit to children and young people is developing a connection with an animal they have never encountered before,” notes Andrea, operations manager of the East Maui Animal Refuge. “It's truly wonderful to watch a child discover that each animal has its own personality and then form a bond.
“Kids have a lot of energy and compassion,” Andrea adds. “When channeled into something positive, it can have a tremendous impact on the rest of their lives, awakening a sense of purpose they didn’t know existed.”
