South Africans Riding for the Disabled (Sarda) is gearing up for their open day in Ruimsig on 1 November.
From 9am in the morning until 3pm in the afternoon, the centre will showcase the talents of the children that ride regularly to the public and their families. Children with different disabilities from Down’s syndrome to visual and hearing impairment use the facilities at the centre and are provided with therapeutic riding sessions which in turn, assists with educational learning.
“We have nine schools that ride with us throughout the week,” says Sarda’s branch secretary in Gauteng, Julia Morris. “The horses are very therapeutic because they provide physical and mental stimulation for the kids. We rely solely on funding from the community and businesses to assist with the daily maintenance of the place and the animals.”
Sarda’s work with disabled children and adults spans for just more than three decades and is completely non-profit. With donations and volunteers from the public, the organisation aims to put the “able” in disable, and provide their disabled riders with the assistance to live functional lives in society.
Morris added that Saturday’s event would also include a demonstration by the Canine Search and Rescue Association, and plenty of eats and treats to keep everyone relaxed and enjoying the day.
“We will have a tea garden to sit and relax while watching the displays. We have 90 children who benefit from the unique physical and emotional therapy Sarda provides. I have been involved in the organisation for 14 years and I am absolutely passionate about what we do here and the children we are involved with,” boasted Morris.
The open day is an annual event which encourages positive participation between Sarda and community members in achieving the goal of assisting each and every disabled child and adult in living as normal a life as any able-bodied person does.
Contact Sarda: 011 958 5044
