Donkeys at the Eseltjiesrus Donkey Sanctuary love books, not because they read but because people who buy books support their needs.
Eseltjiesrus, Western Cape – Every book purchased at the biggest Book Fair in the Western Cape, will aid donkeys in need. The Eseltjiesrus Donkey Sanctuary will be celebrating 15 years of their love for books and promoting a culture of reading at the annual Book Fair.
They are hoping to promote the fair to avid and novice readers so that they can inspire more reading while also helping to support the donkeys.
The event is for book lovers, bargain hunters and those readers looking for unique treasures. The Storytelling and Book reading Theatre for children at the Book Fair were introduced last year to make sure that no one visiting the Fair, is deprived of the joy of reading a good book.
“The tables will once again groan under the weight of thousands of new and fresh pre-owned books on a variety of topics at rock-bottom prices. Whether you are looking for non-fiction, the latest novels, books on travel, poetry, self-help, cookery, children’s or Afrikaans books, you will find both new and fresh pre-owned books.”
Eseltjiesrus Donkey Sanctuary provides a permanent refuge for abused, neglected and elderly donkeys just outside McGregor. Here they are given the opportunity to live out their lives with respect and dignity, surrounded by their kind, in a protective and natural environment.
Each donkey is cared for and checked daily according to their individual needs and ages. The Sanctuary is open to the public four days a week to give both adults and children the opportunity to interact with the donkeys on guided tours.
A part of the work of the Sanctuary that is growing steadily is to deal with queries from across the country regarding good donkey care. Most problems arise from ignorance or the misbelief that donkeys do not need regular handling or appropriate care. The help given in this way, no doubt contributes to raising the status of donkeys in the eyes of the public. Each donkey that is helped is one less in pain, discomfort or suffering mental anguish.
Although the success of this year’s Book Fair in McGregor will once again play a significant role in supporting the work done at the Donkey Sanctuary, the community also benefits from the event. Work is created, books are donated to schools and libraries in the greater Langeberg area, and the Breede Skills Centre will receive all the books read to children in the Storytelling and Book reading Theatre, where the kids can continue hearing beautiful stories.
Book lovers from everywhere are invited to celebrate the pleasure of reading a book at the 2019 Eseltjiesrus Book Fair in McGregor. Diarise 17 – 19 May 2019 and make sure you are part of the reading action! Contact: 023 625 1593; bookfair@donkeysanctuary.co.za or www.donkeysanctuary.co.za
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