Shumbashaba Programme
DIEPSLOOT - The Shumbashaba programme in Diepsloot hosted a presentation to explore the partnerships with the department of education, the City of Johannesburg and South African National Council on Alcoholism.
The day was filled with interesting activities that shed light on what the Shumbashaba programme is about. Participants had the opportunity to interact with the horses through an exercise used to discover how the interaction with the horses is connected with human interaction. Participants were split in two groups and tasked to lead the horses of their choice into boxes.
The Horses Helping People programme assists the youth, people with disabilities through the involvement with community organisations such as Bona Lesedi Disability Centre and Diepsloot Youth Projects.
Founding trustee Jacky Du Plessis said, “The programme is all about offering people the opportunity to enhance and explore themselves”.
While education and skills training remain the key focus to lifting people out of poverty and crime, a sense of self-worth and purpose is needed for the children to rise above challenges in Diepsloot.
Clinical psychologist Nsiki Ndumela who has been involved in the programme for two years enjoys working with disadvantaged children and families.
“I see the difference in the children in terms of their enhanced self-esteem and positive outlook of life”, Ndumela said.
The programme plays a vital role in instilling values of respect, responsibility and accountability.
This has been noted by parents and teachers who also account to the increase in confidence and decrease in bullying behaviour.
Participants had the opportunity to witness the experience of how the sort of exercises the children do and the environment they are taught.
The facilitator’s passion is evident in how they engage with the children and the connection creates between them.
The children are also provided with meals in the course of the day.
Du Plessis encourages others to please contribute in any way towards the programme.
“We would appreciate volunteers who can contribute anything from their time, catering, riding equipment to being side walkers while the children are on the horses, Du Plessis said.
WILL ADD DETAILS ON MONDAY
