La petición de Change.org "Vegetarian and vegan menu in all dining halls in the Basque Country" ya ha superado las 2.000 firmas. Ha sido impulsada por Noelia Estraviz ante los problemas que está encontrando Izadi, su hija, en el comedor de la ikastola en la que estudia.
We at Aula Animal have contacted Noelia to find out about the situation. We take this opportunity to show our support for Izadi, and we ask you to sign the petition.
Does your daughter think it's okay to be vegan?
My daughter isn't vegan, she's vegetarian. At home, we don't eat anything of animal origin, but at school she has eggs and milk because we don't have a vegan menu option. The most I've managed is to get them to remove her second course, except when there's eggs or an omelet. And for dessert, they usually have dairy products, which she has to eat much to my dismay. At first, we wanted to turn a blind eye to the meat, given our need to leave her at the school cafeteria since both parents work. But she started to become aware of what's behind meat and fish, and I can't hide that truth from her, especially since we're not eating those things at home.
Why do you think it's important for your daughter to be vegan?
Because he likes live animals. And at first we drank cow's milk, until he discovered what was behind it. He didn't like oat milk, but I bought him Samuel's book about the Gaia Sanctuary. And when he saw what was behind the dairy industry, he made the effort to change his mind. And now he drinks oat milk perfectly fine. Soy yogurts are delicious and there's no difference, so that wasn't a problem for him.
Besides veganism, does your daughter participate in any form of animal activism?
Before our second daughter was born and our dog got sick, we were a foster home. Since she's been with us, we've fostered three dogs, and she's been very involved. She even participated in the latest story from the Gaia Sanctuary and took the book to school to see if she could raise awareness among her classmates.
Does your family accept that your daughter is vegan?
My family—those of us who live at home, that is, my husband, my young daughter, and me—yes. My husband was the last to make the switch, but he did. So, of course, we accepted it; we're proud of her. She made the decision herself, when they explained to her at school, at age four, where meat comes from. I had been a vegetarian for six months at that time, so I wasn't giving her meat or fish at home, but she was at school.
What problems are you having in the school cafeteria?
At first, they forced her to eat carcasses, and she would come home crying. After months of struggle, we reached an agreement. They would give her more of the first course and dessert. But they wouldn't make anything special for the second course, nor would they let me bring her anything. She only has a hummus sandwich on days when there's soup or purée, because it's so little. And she finishes the sandwich quickly. But we can't bring our plant-based meats. And by the way, I pay the same as everyone else. They told me that for just two girls, they're not going to do anything different. Except on days when the first course includes chorizo, or fish soup. On those days, they'll make her rice or pasta. Basically, no protein at all.
What are you doing to solve them?
After several written communications and three meetings with the school principal, and after speaking with the Basque Government's Department of Education, I've decided to start this petition. This is unbearable, and it's unacceptable that in the 21st century, they're so closed-minded about veganism. And since they've told me they'll only cook something for her when the law requires it… well, we're going to fight to change it!
How does being vegetarian affect her relationships with her colleagues?
Generally well, but they do tell her that potatoes are also dead animals. That plants feel too. Two friends wrote her a farewell letter saying they would only speak to her again if she started eating meat again. We've noticed some rejection from certain people, but others respect and support us. And well, fortunately, she has no shortage of friends. And her teacher has always been very understanding.