The gift of making the ordinary special

The Earth Centre is well-known for its unique efforts to minimise obstacles by empowering children and adults with disabilities.

The Mohato School for Autism was invited on May 17 to a spectacular outdoor therapeutic experience by the home volunteers, horse groomers, and herd managers, in collaboration with the Bokang Montjante Foundation.

Bokang Montjante, the founder of the foundation, says being a mother of a child with autism inspired her to start the foundation to raise more awareness for children with disabilities, and taking part in this initiative is one of many projects she wishes to see excel.

“We decided to partner with the Earth Centre to accommodate children whose parents are unable to afford horse therapy. The main focus is to not only make a difference, but to also make this therapy more accessible to children who come from communities who would not afford it,” says Bokang.

According to the marketing specialist and organiser, Michelle Ndlovu, the centre planned several activities for the 25 learners to take part in which include yoga, art therapy, horse and pony interaction, and obstacle courses.

The learners were divided into groups of five and taken to each station, where they had in-house volunteers who led them to their stationed activities. The first group approached the horse stables, led by the head instructor Angie Michna.

“It was liberating to see the excitement in the children’s faces. We first had to start with the horse interaction just to get the children comfortable being in their presence because horses teach patience and gentleness.

“The learners enjoyed a fun and active session at the obstacle course, followed by art therapy, which was conducted with a creative twist where the learners made their own pictures with leaves, strings, and lots of colour. A yoga session led by yoga instructor Sindi Hsieh was the highlight of the day.”