South African Riding for the Disabled Association Gauteng

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1 South African Riding for the Disabled Association Gauteng The EARTH Centre 125 Peter Road, Ruimsig P O Box 1319 Ruimsig 1732 Nonprofit Organisation Reg No Public Benefit Organisation No Patron: Mrs Mary Slack Tel: Fax No : sarda@earthcentre.org.za Website: RIDE TOWARDS FREEDOM Physically, Mentally, Emotionally! The Gauteng Branch of The South African Riding for the Disabled Association (SARDA) offers therapeutic horse riding to physically and mentally challenged children and young adults. We also offer other interactive equine activities to those unable, too frail or too elderly to ride. The majority of our riders are from disadvantaged backgrounds and live with a variety of disabilities including:- Cerebral Palsy Spina Bifida Down s Syndrome Autism Foetal Alcohol Syndrome Mental retardation Visual and hearing impairment Genetic disorders SARDA Gauteng is : A Non Profit Organisation Reg. No A Public Benefit Organisation, in terms of which any donations to us will be tax deductible in the hands of the donors, subject to Section 18(a) of the Income Tax Act. BBBEE Status Level 4 contributor BEE procurement recognition level: 100% Value adding supplier: YES See the attached forms for further information. WHY FUND OUR ACTIVITIES? More than 90 children benefit each week from the unique physical and emotional therapy SARDA Gauteng provides, and for each of these children there are another 3 on the waiting list. We only receive money from our own fund raising efforts. We require over R per month to enable us to reach out to the community by means of therapy riding with qualified instructors, hippotherapy with a physiotherapist, various interactive activities for all ages, sensory trail development and equine assisted coaching. SARDA Gauteng is determined to continue providing riding therapy free of charge to children that would not otherwise receive any due to their disadvantaged circumstances. Therapy riding assists the children in breaking out of marginalisation and integrating into a productive society. With our low overheads most funding immediately translates into therapy. Some of the schools that ride with us: Adelaide Tambo School Casa do Sol Coronation Training Centre Gateway School Goudveld School Lantern School Johannesburg Hospital School St Vincents School for the Deaf West Rand School 2015

2 HOW CAN YOU HELP? Sign a debit order R 100 per month from a large support base is an enormous assistance Once off donations R 1400 will sponsor another day of therapy for around school children (current capacity) Sponsor an equine therapist see website for adoption catalogue R covers the cost of a pony or R for a donkey for a year (you may opt to sponsor only half a therapist: choose between the front end or the back end!) Sponsor running costs for instance, take over payment for a regular feed order Sponsoring and organizing a fund raising event Fund our Annual Open Day or our Golf Day, or maybe you have another event idea? Sponsor a playground area or development of our sensory trail Fund construction projects Contact us so that we can share our goals for improvements and expansion with you Or could you help with something else from our wish list?.. call the office for our latest needs. Consider leaving us a legacy in your will Our new website has a supporters page where we will place your logo if you would like. We are also looking at erecting suitable signage at the centre, as well as advertising any sponsorships in our newsletters and at our fund raising events and Open Days. OR tell us what you would like from us? You can make a huge difference. Please take part in our efforts we have so much to offer. For more information please visit our websites or and click on Gauteng Contact us via sarda@earthcentre.org.za or call us on between 08h30 and 15h30 Monday to Friday. Our banking details are:- SA Riding for the Disabled Association, Nedbank Clearwater / Universal Code: , Account Number: Feel free to visit our superb facility and open your mind to new possibilities! We look forward to seeing you soon, The SARDA Gauteng Team A school headmaster recently wrote: "We have found that the horse riding sessions are extremely beneficial to our learners. It builds their self-esteem and encourages leadership skills, particularly in those who are academically challenged. They are more relaxed and patient and they seem to have a sense of freedom when they are with the horses. It encourages self-assurance, confidence and a sense of accomplishment. Best of all it is a thoroughly enjoyable experience and promotes personal challenges."

3 ..a little more detail on our activities.. At SARDA Gauteng we are committed to improving lives. Our innovative approach to equine assisted therapy and our multi-sensory environment offer a calm retreat and a change from the daily hustle and bustle. At SARDA we put our positive attitude into practice every single day. We devote our heart and soul to keeping our riders' focus on what they CAN do, rather than on what they perhaps cannot achieve. We interact with the whole person - we strengthen the body, lift the spirit and challenge the mind. We do not stand still. We are constantly striving to improve our programmes and develop our Centre with on-going evaluations and training. We offer therapy that is tailored to each individual's needs, backed up by commitment and expertise. Each rider is carefully assessed by an internationally qualified SARDA Instructor and is then assigned to a pony whose temperament, build and movement will provide the maximum therapeutic benefit for the specific disability. SARDA Gauteng has 10 ponies and 2 miniature donkeys providing the therapeutic riding and interactive equine therapy. Riding lessons are conducted by the instructors and equine therapists with assistance from a band of cheerful and dedicated volunteer helpers. Most of the riders require a minimum of two helpers - one to lead the pony and at least one, if not two, to sidewalk, assist, encourage and reassure, depending on the degree of disability. The pony offers not only soothing physical warmth, but effectively becomes the legs of a child who is unable to walk. The three-way movement of the pony closely mimics the hip motion of the human gait, stimulating previously unused or poorly functioning muscles. Riding encourages improved posture, co-ordination and balance. Riding teaches new skills Riding promotes an active response from the rider Riding promotes independence and encourages decision making Riding develops self discipline and improved self image Riding encourages communication and social skills Our Centre is built on a 5 acre site, which although is on a very busy road, is a well-treed restful escape from the hustle and bustle of daily life. It is a place where riders and helpers can enjoy the outdoors and commune with nature. We have made a start on our Sensory Trail, which includes a labyrinth, and we will continue constructing this as funds allow. Our aim is to create a contemplative environment that will benefit our riders, helpers and members of the community. The mother of one of our newer riders said: "Dankie SARDA... julle is awesome!" We feel that if there is any possibility of continuing with this therapy,. that the benefits would be tremendous and far reaching in Sean's life. Steven and Helene Knight

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