Shumbashaba’s Horses Helping People programmes are changing the lives of the children that participate in them. From the disadvantaged to the intellectual disabilities!
Horses are beautiful and majestic creatures! Studies show that they are very similar to humans, they are social and have family systems within their herds. They are used in therapy for their abilities to help with a persons own healing.
Horses have a unique ability to sense emotions and react accordingly, this means anyone with an issue would need to address their emotion and adjust it to be able to work with the horse.
“If someone is angry or aggressive, the horse may become obstinate. If the person is anxious, the horse may get skittish. But when approached by someone who is open and calm, the horse is more likely to respond in kind. Witnessing the horse’s response promotes self-awareness and can help people see themselves in a more realistic way.”
That is just one of many reasons horses are perfect to positively impact people and help change lives for the better. The Shumbashaba programme has had a positive impact on more than 5000 people since it was started. It is a non-profit community organisation.
There are therapeutic riding and non-riding programmes that involve orphans, vulnerable children, youth at risk and adults from Diepsloot. This including support programmes for parents, victims of abuse and violence and those who have experienced other forms of trauma.
Whenever children are hosted at the centre, they are fed a full lunch and given every amount of attention from volunteers. After their lunches are finished they all help in washing the dishes and packing away, teaching them responsibility.
The centre is always looking for volunteers, so if you would like to help you can read here.
“With our therapeutic riding programmes volunteers are not required to have any prior knowledge of horses or horsemanship skills, as training is provided on an on-going basis.”