There’s a space where paws and people meet, one where dogs and humans are uplifted together. Its name is Funda Nenja, an animal welfare organisation that serves both township dogs and their humans in an effort to make the Mpophomeni community a better place for all.
Mpophomeni South Africa (29 January 2025) — You can tell a lot about a community based on how they are able to care for their animals. In Mpophomeni, animal welfare organisation Funda Nenja understand this intricately and has proudly charged forward since 2009 to uplift the people of Mpophomeni to better serve both themselves and the animals that call the township home.
A mission in which people and paws are both taken into consideration, Funda Nenja’s is a unique approach to animal welfare. Instead of focusing solely on the animals in question, the team have a holistic approach that aims to improve the resources people need to become animal heroes.
Animal Heroes of Tomorrow
A big portion of the Funda Nenja approach focuses on the youth. Funda Nenja’s dog training initiative, ‘Dog School‘ which teaches children how to care for their animals, sharing important information and practical skills all dog owners should know.
Empathy, compassion and patience are taught along with other life skills as part of the project’s extension School Education Programme. As the organisation shares, this kind of knowledge doesn’t just apply to time with an animal. Rather, it ripples across multiple streams of interactions, from families to acquaintances. This is the beauty of lessons like those of compassion—they apply far beyond the classroom.
Then, there’s the veterinary clinic and pop-up shop that helps pet owners access the resources they need to care for the animals, instilling a sense of responsibility for the youngsters.
Not to mention, the One Welfare initiative in which volunteers go into the larger community to interact with and educate others—uniting people through purpose.
Not Your Regular Home Inspection
The role the outreach staff play in the home inspections programme again speaks to the goal for symbiotic welfare.
Not only are the homes of learners registered with the dog training programme assessed with the animals in mind, but also the people.
Advice and assistance are then offered where it’s needed, and if the need is greater than what Funda Nenja can provide, other organisations are contacted.
“Our One Welfare approach and the outreach programme has made a significantly positive impact on the quality of life for the animals living in Mpophomeni and we have observed a huge improvement during the time that we have been servicing this community.”
Family Support and Food Gardens
As with the home inspections, families in need are able to access help through the Family Support Programme. Sometimes, this results in social grants; other times immediate needs being met.
The Food Relief programme sees the Funda Nenja Food Gardens at the heart of help; allowing people to cultivate veggies and take back a sense of control over food insecurity.
Where Paws and People Meet
It’s much easier to think about four-legged members of the community when you have a full stomach, have access to education on how to care for your animal and know that there’s a place you can go that will strive to support all your family members whether they have tails or toes.
As the team share:
“Mpophomeni is becoming a place of hope and an example of what can be achieved by a holistic welfare approach.”
You can keep up with Funda Nenja here and support their initiatives here.
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