Community Development Project
Mkulu Kei Horse Trails Horse Riding Development Programme
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The objective of this
programme is the transfer of equine skills to under-privileged local youth
in the Morgan Bay township Eastern Cape South Africa. Giving back to the
area and community we live in. Financially sustained by Mkulu Kei horse trails
& riding holidays through our working volunteers, riding gap students on
their equestrian break holiday and donations form our riding guests.
Mkulu
Kei Horse Trails & Riding Holidays initiated this community development
project in 2001 and we are very proud of the impact it has made to the young
boys, who in turn have make a difference to their community.
By getting the education of a sustainable professional
skill, these boys are already encouraging and motivating youth and community
development. Financially sustained by Mkulu Kei through our working gap volunteers
and donations from our clients, this project keeps the youth off the streets;
reducing theft and encouraging a centre of learning. In the poverty stricken
Eastern Cape in South Africa these Xhosa boys would just be absorbed into
"Umona" a deep intense jealousy, a crab in a bucket syndrome, where
individualism and success are not admired. By encouraging good work ethics,
the speaking of the English language and offering a sustainable, employable
skill we are, through education, encouraging an infrastructure that will
impact on the apathetic cultural situation.
"Umona" prefers that everyone experience
the same hardship. Their destiny; poverty and hopelessness. Our riding
training project is open at all the children, but we can only concentrate
on a few at a time. All the kids that have attended on a regular basis can
ride, some better than others and we have three boys who are extremely
talented. These are our leaders, not just in the development project but
also in the community. Their leadership skills come with good work ethics
- no work - no pay, no school attendance - no horse riding. This Mkulu Kei
community initiative has already made an impact on their
young lives but it will be in the future that the real difference will be
seen in full.
"A real ride to
many places at any paces"
Mkulu Kei Horse Trails Horse Riding Development
Programme a community development program for the youth.
Mkulu Kei Horse Trails & Riding Holidays Development
Project
Giving back to the community by
teaching riding to the local children from our area.
The aim of this motivational project is skills
transfer to local underprivileged children giving them a chance, through
education, to better their lives and the community they live in, with a
sustainable, employable skill. With mastering the English language the
boys will be in the position of looking for employment in the larger cities
thereby increasing their earning potential and with their equestrian skills
the door is opened to numerous job opportunities.
Volunteers both equestrian and non riding join us at
Mkulu Kei Horse Trails & Riding Holidays and Cher-a-Don Teambuilding &
Adventure Centre previously know as Lalapanzi Adventure Centre
Donate your time as a riding volunteer on your
equestrian break holiday in South Africa and while you are learning new
equine skills, riding horses on the beach your affordable daily rate you will
make a difference to a child's life. Get involved in our adventure centre and
you are helping a community.
Volunteer Working Riding Holiday
Working Gap Riding Gallery
Equine Assisted Therapy/Learning
Comments Volunteer Working Holiday
Gap Year Information
Volunteer Gap-year Rates & Options
We can know take non riding volunteer placements
Cher-a-Don Team Building Adventure Centre. See the work
we are doing helping reduce the crime rate in South Africa, by teaching life
skills to "at risk", youth in trouble with the law and young offenders.
Adventure Volunteers
Pictures of Adventure Volunteering
Cher-a-Don Adventure Centre
Participants Comments
Adventure Activities
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Our development project is aimed at Morgan Bay
local children between the ages of 6 years and 16 years from families
who do not have the finances to enable the child to have this kind of
experience, children who would probably not learn to ride a horse or
pony and definitely would never learn the finer skills to be a horseman.
Tourism is growing in South Africa and these children have the
advantage of speaking to our riding clients and volunteers from around
the world; opening their vision of the world, developing communication
skills and understanding. You too can make a difference in a child's
life. As a riding volunteer while you are having fun riding horses on
the beach you are impacting on a child's mind and shaping his future.
Without you we could not afford to have horses riding out that did not
have paying riding clients on their back.
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Help Us to Help
the Community
I cannot imagine life without my horses, I watch
my own children interrelate with their ponies, they have grown up learning
to care, love, and respect horses which I believe encourages them to be
better people, better equipped to understand the needs of others. I have
watched my client's faces as they take their first ride and conquer the
idea of controlling their fears on an animal so huge. The faces say it all,
I have witnessed clients riding ability and confidence improve and I can
understand just how much fun they are having. How proud they are of their
achievements.
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As a qualified tour guide I have tried to
encourage others to understand just how much of an impact we have on
our environment, and how we can make a difference.
I want to share my equestrian knowledge with
those less privileged, and on the volunteer exchange program you could
too.
This is an opportunity to make a difference on
the working riding holiday by teaching and encouraging underprivileged
children like September, who, through the development programme and his
own hard work, has developed into a gifted horseman.
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There is a sense of freedom, power and confidence
when working with horses. We at Mkulu Kei Horse Trails would like to pass
on our love for equines and hopefully some valuable life lessons. We
believe this programme is fun and gives the children a valuable new skill
that will give them better employment prospects; good work ethics and
hence become less dependent on handouts. We aim to equip the children
with the basic riding skills needed to further develop careers as jockeys,
ranch hands, tour guides, instructors, and stable hands or even, ride for
South Africa. There is so much unemployment in the Eastern Cape and by
teaching new employable skills we are opening job opportunities to the
children when they grow up
Alcohol addiction is a huge problem in this area
and hope we can influence a good work ethic and intolerance to alcohol.
We hope to discourage the dependency on alcohol as an adult by offering
another option. Any child caught fighting, stealing, swearing or drinking
is disqualified from the development project. Attendance at school is a
criteria to the project. No school - no riding.
The backbone of this project is skills training
and learning, while having fun. We give the children the opportunity to
learn how to ride, communicate, and care for horses safely, teaching
them riding skills, basic stable management in addition to grooming,
feeding and basic medical treatment, while improving their skills of
the English language.
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We believe that by giving the children a chance
to learn to ride and be responsible, not just for themselves but for
an animal and those around them, they will develop confidence and
become leaders in the community. Some of the children have developed a
passion for horses and will take their riding further. Xhosa's do not
have pets and do not have a natural empathy for animals. They are
extremely superstitious of cats; dogs are used for hunting, goats for
sacrifice purposes, "cattle are money in the bank".
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The Xhosa nation as a community are not encouraged to
be horseman, unlike their inland brethren closer to the Drakensberg mountains
who are. The Sotho have their Basutu pony and are internationally renowned for
their horsemanship skills, yet there are job opportunities in this area as
stockmen, and in the bigger cities well paid groom positions which are
not being filled by Xhosas.
Traditionally the whites born in this area all speak
beautiful Xhosa resulting in the Xhosa's seldom mastering the English language,
as a result the local blacks were limited to finding work opportunities only
in the Eastern Cape thereby losing out on the better paid salaries offered in
the bigger centres. (It is politically correct to say black, white or coloured
when referring to race in South Africa)
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Nelson Mandela, (Madiba as he is affectionately known by
all) has changed that and brought the English language into the curriculum at
school level. We at Mkulu Kei Horse Trails give the children an opportunity to
practice and better their newfound language.
In order to ride the children have to help me on the ground with lead rein clients,
carrying saddles, washing bits and general help around the stable. We have just
had our first Xhosa girls joining us, very out of culture, and time will tell if
they keep coming back. The Xhosa girl's work at home fetching water, wood etc.
Keeping the numbers of children to a manageable number is not easy but all regular
children are riding.
My "little guys" are doing so well in season I
invite a few to join us on a ride with my clients on the day rides. All
are cantering beautifully and some are now jumping.
Three of the children; September (Siyathemba), Alex, and
October are all riding so well they often help us as second guides with big
groups. (October his nickname was named by September because he started at the
development project after September) All three talented boys are training young
working horses and are valuable members of our team.
What I personally enjoy is seeing the boys now
interrelating with our clients and offering their riding skills and
encouragement.
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My Man September
September (Siyathemba) is a very slightly built
16 year old, who has the riding skills and knowledge to make something
of himself. He has a gift, a talent and passion. Having joined the
development program some 7 years ago he has captured our heart and
attention. We have been nurturing not only his equine skills but his
social skills too. He comes from a rural background. His father is a
farm worker at the local dairy and his mom a part time house cleaner.
They live in a mud hut without running water, electricity or even a
bathroom.
September has the talent and ability to be way
more than just a talented rider, he could make something of his life.
We believe with your help he could make a career out of horses. I have
promised September I will find someone who can market him as a person,
find him a sponsor, possibly for a career in racing.
Although his interest lies in show jumping he
will find it hard to make a career out of shows in this country. I
believe by January 2012 he will be ready to face his future. We believe
he would do very well as a jockey if he were to go that route. He will
require not just the opportunity but the correct clothing, air tickets
and pocket money.
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Anyone Who Helps this Child
Will Not Be Wasting their Time
As we are trying to help September not only with
his riding skills but his social skills too we have taken him out for
meals at the hotel.
Many holidaymakers asked about the small child
riding the big black horse on the beach one season 2008-2009. That was
my man September on a 4-year-old Friesian stallion. He has Zeus looking
like a show horse, on the bit and moving beautifully.
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2009 Christmas came
early to our development boys this year.
A equestrian volunteer, Jessie Hoogveld from the
Netherlands, was to join us for a period over December but before she
arrived she motivated a collection of bottles and donations from her
community to raise money for the development project.
She confided in my daughters and they went shopping.
They purchased a kit consisting of a pair of riding boots, jodhpurs and
gloves each for five children. September, Alex and October received their
riding kit, their faces say it all. It was decided that the rest of the
new kits would be given to the boys who have shown us the most dedication
and commitment.
A fourth child Mussa has been under our feet for years,
at three years old I had chased him home on numerous occasions as I could not
take responsibility for somebody that young at the stables. We have a rule
that the boys had to reach a certain height before they could ride, indicated
by a mark on the wall. Mussa reached that height and proudly showed me. Mussa
although young and only just started riding was determined to show me he
was the next deserving child. On his first ride I saw the same gift and passion
September showed at his age and he is already assisting us. The remaining kit
is waiting for the next boy that shines.
Part of our project has always been to address the
children's social skills, it was my plan to take September on trail, a night
out at a hotel, show him how to behave in that sort of environment. How can
we expect him to go to jockey school if he has never used a bathroom or sat
at a table to eat? Well in March 2010 we took four boys on trail, the balance
of the donation will be used towards jockey school.
We would firstly like to say a big thank you to Jessie
for her initiative and then a thank you for all the people in the Netherlands
especially to the main sponsor Frenck Lutke Innologi.
Maria and Henny Hoogveld
Toos Hoogveld
Wilma and Ron Hoogveld
Corrie and Willie Hoogveld
Marian and Rudi Michiels
Gerda and Peter Klerkx
Marlies and Peter Hoogveld
Anton Klerkx
Rita Klerkx
Ilse and Bram
Joep Klaassen
Drinkwater family
van Druten family
Kersten family
Bubeck family
Bisschops family
Hollander family
Dibbits family
Ludikhuise family
Door
Siem and Gerda
Harm Vriend
Michelle Akkerman
Tommy Roelofs
Slegers family
Anne-Marie
Vera
An anonymous person :)
And of course Frenck Lutke from innologi.com |
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Please help us to help the talented
development children.
We have not even scratched the surface of what we will
require to fill our promise to these children and we need your help. The boys
going to jockey school will require more than just their school fees, transport
to and from KZN and uniforms ...
We really need someone who has the time to promote -
market these boys on an on going basis to ensure that they get the best
opportunities available for their future.
8th to the 10th March 2010 four of our best development boys went
on an over night horse trail.
These boys live in small shacks or mud huts without
running water, they have never experienced a bathroom or formal meals.
Going on trail was a new experience in many ways. Going on holiday, sleeping
in a bed at a hotel, eating in the formal dinning room, eating different foods
and having access to the swimming pool and other facilities.
The motivation was to work on the boy's social skills
and allow them to experience new things. How can we expect the boys to use the
bathroom correctly if they don't have one at home? As a jockey they will be
expected to be comfortable eating at a table and know which knife to use.
For days I had been teasing September about using a knife
and fork, he always said he knew, however he never expected so many.
Our first meal at the table was very funny as the boys
practiced their new skill of eating with utensils, culturally they only use
their hands or a spoon and even sitting with a women at the table is totally
out of culture, men sit at on a chair while women eat later on a eating mat.
I was very proud of the boys who took advantage of trying new things and
laughing at themselves.
The route on trail was new and exciting for the boys
as we rode paths that tested their riding abilities.
They proved to me that my time and effort is going to
make a difference and by giving these boys every opportunity to succeed.
They will be ambassadors both to Mkulu Kei and to their community.
The boys took advantage of the whole experience.
The bunk beds, bathroom, electricity and swimming pool where hits but
the big race was the highlight of the trip. I won on Spindy closely
followed by Alex on Royal, who rode a good calculated race.
Debbie loaned her camera to the boys and the boys
took great delight in photographing each other in the bath or posing in
the bedroom. Mussa learnt to swim and September and Alex spent hours
diving for a spoon at the bottom of the pool. October was happier playing
tennis and won the putt-putt.
Our horse trail was an absolute
success and great fun was had by all.
It is something I will do again but it must be earned
by the boys and not expected. The two older boys are ready to face their new
life; now it is up to them. Please they now need your help with funding for
jockey school.
Photos of their Riding Holiday Adventure
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Contact Cheryl personally:
Tel/Fax: +27 (0)43 8411 525 A/H
Cell:+27 (0)83 632 7298
During the day please contact us on the cell, we are probably horsing around.
Signal can be irregular, if you cannot get through please leave a message or phone me on the landline in the evenings.
E-mail:
info@mkulukeihorsetrails.co.za
We at Mkulu Kei Horse Trails, the two and
the four legged would like to say a big thank you to all our riding guests
and equestrian volunteers for donations towards the development project.

This is a project Mkulu Kei Horse Trails is
proud of and sponsored by Mkulu Kei Horse Trails & Riding Holidays with your help.
We use your donations towards the general running
of the project. This includes giving the children pocket money, T-shirts,
on occasions food, stationery and school shoes, and we have had a number of
children parties (with chips, sweets and cool drinks) something they
would never normally experience.
Please we require donations of children's jodhpurs,
riding boots and riding hats. I would like to upgrade the children's dress
code for pride and safety reasons.
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(6 years-16 years) Second hand or new.
Thank You, Cheryl.
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You could be here volunteering on your coastal
horse-working gap exchange riding vacation and making a difference in
the lives of a rural community with our development project. As a
paying volunteer not only your time and equestrian skills but also part
of your daily rate is used to sustain our development activities. This
is a totally different opportunity to join a exchange working gap
holiday experience in a family business, the more you put in the more
you get back.
Ever thought you
would like to canter your horse along a beach, or play in the waves?
The sound of the horse's hoofs on the sand or
splash of the water will live with you forever. Combine your dream on a
working holiday. Take a gap at Mkulu Kei Horse Trails.
Contact Details:
P.O. Box 25, Haga Haga 5272,
Eastern Cape, South Africa.
Tel/Fax: +27 (0) 43 841 1525 A/H
Fax: 086 523 8259
Cell: +27 (0) 83 632 7298
Skype: cheryl.giacchetti
E-mail:
info@mkulukeihorsetrails.co.za
During the day please contact us on the cell,
we are probably horsing around. Signal can be irregular, if you cannot get through please
leave a message or phone us on the landline in the evenings. Thanks |
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