Selwane benefiting from animal relief project

ARRC is a non-profit organisation which was established in November last year by a group of friends who wanted to make a difference in communities of South Africa.
They offer veterinary health care services to dogs and donkeys in the village.
“We chose the community of Selwane as the residents have limited access to veterinary care.
“Also because the area does not have water, only a few bore holes and they rely heavily on the donkeys for transport.

“So we saw an opportunity to help both dogs, donkeys and humans,” explained Dr Lani Anagnostou.
Anagnostou told the Herald that she is happy with the progress they have managed to make in a short space of time as the community is very receptive to their services.
“The community wants their dogs to be sterilised and vaccinated and their donkeys to have better harnesses.
“They are realising that good harnesses work better and prevent the donkeys to get injured or sick,” she added.

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The team also partners with the Mohlanatsi Project, a government-funded project that helps to feed orphaned or underprivileged children in the community.
Mohlanatsi currently receives funding to feed 31 children, but there are 131 registered children.
At the moment ARRC visits Mohlanatsi once a week and offers a 20-minute lesson on animal care. They are also starting to introduce wildlife and conservation ideas to the children. They also play games and provide nutritious meals.

They believe that teaching the children environmental and animal health issues will make a long term impact on the children, animals and nature.
Anagnostou further said her team hopes to increase the amount of times they visit Mohlanatsi and they also want to try assist with application of grants and funding.
She currently works with her husband who is also a director and a veterinarian, Dr Fernado Prados Nieto. They also work with Joanne Marden, Tracey Mobley and Emon Katlego Mokgalaka.

Katlego helps them in the community with owners, runs the donkey harness workshops and he also comes to every project they do.
The project solely depends on donations and they appeal to businesses and anyone else to contribute towards the initiative.
For more information and and donations, contact Dr Lani Anagnostou on 079 847 2150.