Learning With Dogs: Funda Nenja’s Township Dog Training Initiative (NPO 085-038)
by Carol Brammage Freelance writer and editor
e-mail: [email protected]
by Carol Brammage Freelance writer and editor
e-mail: [email protected]
This is an update to our original article on Funda Nenja. To view the first article, click here
The boys with their dogs at the World of Dogs and Cats Exbou
Funda Nenja (“learning with the dog” in isiZulu) is a registered NPO that offers dog training in the Mpophomeni township near Howick in KwaZulu-Natal. The initiative is making a huge difference in the community, not just helping owners with their dogs, but building up awareness on animals needs and giving hope and passion to a community as well as impacting on the children's lives by assisting in their social, emotional and intellectual development. If you would like to know more about the wonderful work these dedicated people are doing, and even get involved, do read more. These guys really do deserve as much support as we can possibly give them.
Incidentially, the founder of Funda Nenja is Adrienne Olivier who runs Puppy Schools in KZN, all of which feature in our Recommended Puppy Schools that we advocate you use. Click here to see what Adrienne offers in these classes.
Incidentially, the founder of Funda Nenja is Adrienne Olivier who runs Puppy Schools in KZN, all of which feature in our Recommended Puppy Schools that we advocate you use. Click here to see what Adrienne offers in these classes.
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“We ARE making a difference – the evidence is reflected in the broad smiles of the dog owners and wagging tails of their dogs each week.” This confidently happy declaration indicates the characteristic enthusiasm to be found at this KwaZulu-Natal township dog training initiative. Using gentle, reward-based methods, young people learn a lot more than dog-handling skills: They also develop close bonds with their dogs and an enhanced awareness of animal welfare.
Since July 2009, members of Funda Nenja, community children and their dogs and a small group of volunteers have been meeting weekly in Mpophomeni, a poor peri-urban township near Howick in the KwaZulu-Natal midlands, to share interspecies and multicultural communication, skills building and assist in the positive development of the local children. The project has grown from 12 children and their dogs each week in 2009 to an average of 100 children and their dogs each week in 2013.
Through these popular weekly dog training classes, Funda Nenja is able to touch the lives of both the dogs and the children. Leaning to care for and by working with their dogs, the mostly young handlers learn self-discipline and responsibilities that contribute to a sense of self-worth, a new-found poise and the development of leadership, and other social, skills. Several of the more experienced dog handlers have progressed to becoming volunteer trainers themselves and, by leading Funda Nenja classes, they pass on their knowledge to newer participants in the programme . In 2013, recognizing the impact of the socio-economic environment in which it works and the effect of these circumstances on the children, Funda Nenja secured funding from the AIDS Foundation of South Africa, for the services of an Auxiliary Social Worker, Ms Nonny Duma, who is shared with the nearby Ethembeni AIDS Ministry (www.ethembeni.co.za). This brought much needed attention to the children's needs as an unhappy child leads to an unhappy dog. Ms Duma attends the weekly classes and uses the opportunity to interact with the children and identify those needing her help. She also conducts monthly educational classes on animal welfare. Although this funding was not renewed in 2014, due to overseas national budget cuts and the global economic climate, Ethembeni AIDS Ministry offered to continue to pay Ms Duma's salary and allow her to work part-time with Funda Nenja as they recognised the value of the opportunity that Funda Nenja allows to meet many of the community children who otherwise would not have access to assistance.
Since July 2009, members of Funda Nenja, community children and their dogs and a small group of volunteers have been meeting weekly in Mpophomeni, a poor peri-urban township near Howick in the KwaZulu-Natal midlands, to share interspecies and multicultural communication, skills building and assist in the positive development of the local children. The project has grown from 12 children and their dogs each week in 2009 to an average of 100 children and their dogs each week in 2013.
Through these popular weekly dog training classes, Funda Nenja is able to touch the lives of both the dogs and the children. Leaning to care for and by working with their dogs, the mostly young handlers learn self-discipline and responsibilities that contribute to a sense of self-worth, a new-found poise and the development of leadership, and other social, skills. Several of the more experienced dog handlers have progressed to becoming volunteer trainers themselves and, by leading Funda Nenja classes, they pass on their knowledge to newer participants in the programme . In 2013, recognizing the impact of the socio-economic environment in which it works and the effect of these circumstances on the children, Funda Nenja secured funding from the AIDS Foundation of South Africa, for the services of an Auxiliary Social Worker, Ms Nonny Duma, who is shared with the nearby Ethembeni AIDS Ministry (www.ethembeni.co.za). This brought much needed attention to the children's needs as an unhappy child leads to an unhappy dog. Ms Duma attends the weekly classes and uses the opportunity to interact with the children and identify those needing her help. She also conducts monthly educational classes on animal welfare. Although this funding was not renewed in 2014, due to overseas national budget cuts and the global economic climate, Ethembeni AIDS Ministry offered to continue to pay Ms Duma's salary and allow her to work part-time with Funda Nenja as they recognised the value of the opportunity that Funda Nenja allows to meet many of the community children who otherwise would not have access to assistance.
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Funda Nenja has become a trusted and popular part of the local community. Parents have commented on the difference Funda Nenja has made in their children’s lives through teaching them discipline, giving them confidence and providing a safe, fun and valuable after school environment.
Funda Nenja actively encourages the children to look at the practical dog handling skills they gain as the keys to a possible future career. The Senior Team also demonstrates the potential in the sport of dog agility. Their progression and the skills, both social and practical, they have acquired has enabled them to regularly compete at local dog obedience and handling shows with great success. In 2013, one member of the Senior Team held his own against professional dog handlers and won first place in his category at the local Sunday Tribune Garden Show. In 2012, several Funda Nenja handlers and their dogs entered their first Kennel Union of South Africa (KUSA) dog show and qualified for the Canine Good Citizen award. This was the first time that the often underestimated “township” dogs have competed in a KUSA event.
In early 2012, thanks to the sponsorship of a much needed dog-trailer, a team of five boys and their dogs were able to travel to Gauteng to participate in a fun day fundraiser that was held at Birch Acres Training Club in Benoni. Not only did this event raise much needed funds for Funda Nenja, but the team’s success inspired an enthusiasm that was shared by all at Funda Nenja. In January the next year, Funda Nenja was invited to the World of Dogs and Cats Expo in Durban, one of the largest of its kind in South Africa. Despite the foreign environment and many distractions, the Senior Team performed brilliantly and were very well received by the crowd.
Funda Nenja actively encourages the children to look at the practical dog handling skills they gain as the keys to a possible future career. The Senior Team also demonstrates the potential in the sport of dog agility. Their progression and the skills, both social and practical, they have acquired has enabled them to regularly compete at local dog obedience and handling shows with great success. In 2013, one member of the Senior Team held his own against professional dog handlers and won first place in his category at the local Sunday Tribune Garden Show. In 2012, several Funda Nenja handlers and their dogs entered their first Kennel Union of South Africa (KUSA) dog show and qualified for the Canine Good Citizen award. This was the first time that the often underestimated “township” dogs have competed in a KUSA event.
In early 2012, thanks to the sponsorship of a much needed dog-trailer, a team of five boys and their dogs were able to travel to Gauteng to participate in a fun day fundraiser that was held at Birch Acres Training Club in Benoni. Not only did this event raise much needed funds for Funda Nenja, but the team’s success inspired an enthusiasm that was shared by all at Funda Nenja. In January the next year, Funda Nenja was invited to the World of Dogs and Cats Expo in Durban, one of the largest of its kind in South Africa. Despite the foreign environment and many distractions, the Senior Team performed brilliantly and were very well received by the crowd.
Although the team gives polished displays of obedience work at these impressive events, most important is the rewarding bond that develops between the dog handlers and their dogs. All participants at Funda Nenja learn the importance of providing their dogs with shelter, water, regular food and affection, and they learn that dogs return kindness and care with companionship and protection. And it is evident that the dogs benefit too as they become more confident and happier in their relationships with people and their caregivers also blossom with confidence.
Every dog that takes part in the programme is fitted with a collar and lead, and the handler is given training treats, both for the afternoon lesson as well as for training at home during the forthcoming week. Participants are given containers for their dog’s food and water, and in winter, a blanket for each dog.
Funda Nenja is a registered non-profit organisation, and it relies entirely on donations to fund its work, and on its volunteers, including those who run the weekly township dog-training classes. Generous donations from the public have also enabled Funda Nenja to grow. In 2013, thanks to a donation from Elias Mechanicos Building and Civil Engineering Contractors (now rebranded as the EMB Group), two shipping containers were delivered to the Funda Nenja training grounds at Zamuthule School to be used for storage and as an office at the training grounds. Funda Nenja has developed a popular following on Facebook and posts regular news updates.
Funda Nenja has a close relationship with the local uMngeni SPCA. SPCA field officers regularly visit the Funda Nenja training sessons that take place at the Zamuthule School grounds, to collect dogs and other animals requiring medical attention and take them to its clinic in Howick.
Both organisations assist with the control of parasites in dogs and promote a sterilisation campaign. In addition, the SPCA’s outreach clinics provide free rabies vaccinations. These combined initiatives have resulted in many more people bringing their animal welfare concerns to the SPCA and to the Funda Nenja volunteers.
Adrienne Olivier, Funda Nenja’s founder, believes that learning to care for an animal is a step towards becoming a caring adult and a positive influence in the community. Funda Nenja’s vision is to use dog training as a vehicle to develop respect and compassion for all living things. The on-going project not only enhances the lives of the people and dogs directly involved, but it also has a ripple-effect on the wider community and on animal welfare generally. Or as Funda Nenja volunteers put it, it is “practical animal welfare education happening at grass roots level”.
If you would like to support the valuable work of Funda Nenja, there are many ways that you can make a contribution. For example, for its weekly training classes, regular donations of dry training treats are needed. Many of the dogs arriving at training classes for the first time have only makeshift collars and leads, some made from rope or even wire or chain. As these need to replaced, donations of leads and collars of all sizes, old or new, are needed on an on-going basis. And if you live in the Howick/Mpophomeni region, you might be able to work as a volunteer to help at the weekly dog-training classes
As Funda Nenja also promotes responsible pet ownership and animal welfare, another way of supporting its work is to sponsor the cost of sterilising dogs, or to donate de-worming, tick or flea remedies. Funda Nenja also distributes dog bowls and dog food and, in winter, dog blankets
You may also be in a position to donate a portable gazebo that is needed to offer protection from the sun on hot days.
A fun way to help is to “Give a Good Feeling” in the form of a Funda Nenja gift card. Next time someone has a birthday or celebrates a special occasion, you may like to give a donation to Funda Nenja on their behalf. Funda Nenja will then send the recipient a personalised e-card thanking them for their gift to the children and dogs of Mphophomeni, who will be delighted at their kindness.
Other supporters gave raised a substantial amount of money by placing all their small change in a bottle for Funda Nenja. It all adds up and a large sum of money was donated to Funda Nenja. This is also an exciting class competition for schools.
For more information about the gift cards and other ways of donating to Funda Nenja, or to find out more about its work, please visit the website at http://www.fundanenja.co.za/ or Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/groups/358550291420/ or phone Adrienne on 033 347 2915 or 083 636 0891, or email her at [email protected]
Should you wish to make a financial donation into its bank account, please confirm this by sending an e-mail to [email protected] and please indicate whether the donation is for a specific purpose. Funda Nenja’s bank account details are:
TDTI
ABSA Bank
Branch no 6097
ac/no: 9233847317
SWIFT Code: ABSAZAJJ632005
Funda Nenja is a registered non-profit organisation, reg. no. 085-038-NPO
- See more at: http://www.friendsofthedog.co.za/funda-nenjas-township-dog-initiative.html#sthash.Bp3GTrWo.dpuf
Every dog that takes part in the programme is fitted with a collar and lead, and the handler is given training treats, both for the afternoon lesson as well as for training at home during the forthcoming week. Participants are given containers for their dog’s food and water, and in winter, a blanket for each dog.
Funda Nenja is a registered non-profit organisation, and it relies entirely on donations to fund its work, and on its volunteers, including those who run the weekly township dog-training classes. Generous donations from the public have also enabled Funda Nenja to grow. In 2013, thanks to a donation from Elias Mechanicos Building and Civil Engineering Contractors (now rebranded as the EMB Group), two shipping containers were delivered to the Funda Nenja training grounds at Zamuthule School to be used for storage and as an office at the training grounds. Funda Nenja has developed a popular following on Facebook and posts regular news updates.
Funda Nenja has a close relationship with the local uMngeni SPCA. SPCA field officers regularly visit the Funda Nenja training sessons that take place at the Zamuthule School grounds, to collect dogs and other animals requiring medical attention and take them to its clinic in Howick.
Both organisations assist with the control of parasites in dogs and promote a sterilisation campaign. In addition, the SPCA’s outreach clinics provide free rabies vaccinations. These combined initiatives have resulted in many more people bringing their animal welfare concerns to the SPCA and to the Funda Nenja volunteers.
Adrienne Olivier, Funda Nenja’s founder, believes that learning to care for an animal is a step towards becoming a caring adult and a positive influence in the community. Funda Nenja’s vision is to use dog training as a vehicle to develop respect and compassion for all living things. The on-going project not only enhances the lives of the people and dogs directly involved, but it also has a ripple-effect on the wider community and on animal welfare generally. Or as Funda Nenja volunteers put it, it is “practical animal welfare education happening at grass roots level”.
If you would like to support the valuable work of Funda Nenja, there are many ways that you can make a contribution. For example, for its weekly training classes, regular donations of dry training treats are needed. Many of the dogs arriving at training classes for the first time have only makeshift collars and leads, some made from rope or even wire or chain. As these need to replaced, donations of leads and collars of all sizes, old or new, are needed on an on-going basis. And if you live in the Howick/Mpophomeni region, you might be able to work as a volunteer to help at the weekly dog-training classes
As Funda Nenja also promotes responsible pet ownership and animal welfare, another way of supporting its work is to sponsor the cost of sterilising dogs, or to donate de-worming, tick or flea remedies. Funda Nenja also distributes dog bowls and dog food and, in winter, dog blankets
You may also be in a position to donate a portable gazebo that is needed to offer protection from the sun on hot days.
A fun way to help is to “Give a Good Feeling” in the form of a Funda Nenja gift card. Next time someone has a birthday or celebrates a special occasion, you may like to give a donation to Funda Nenja on their behalf. Funda Nenja will then send the recipient a personalised e-card thanking them for their gift to the children and dogs of Mphophomeni, who will be delighted at their kindness.
Other supporters gave raised a substantial amount of money by placing all their small change in a bottle for Funda Nenja. It all adds up and a large sum of money was donated to Funda Nenja. This is also an exciting class competition for schools.
For more information about the gift cards and other ways of donating to Funda Nenja, or to find out more about its work, please visit the website at http://www.fundanenja.co.za/ or Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/groups/358550291420/ or phone Adrienne on 033 347 2915 or 083 636 0891, or email her at [email protected]
Should you wish to make a financial donation into its bank account, please confirm this by sending an e-mail to [email protected] and please indicate whether the donation is for a specific purpose. Funda Nenja’s bank account details are:
TDTI
ABSA Bank
Branch no 6097
ac/no: 9233847317
SWIFT Code: ABSAZAJJ632005
Funda Nenja is a registered non-profit organisation, reg. no. 085-038-NPO
- See more at: http://www.friendsofthedog.co.za/funda-nenjas-township-dog-initiative.html#sthash.Bp3GTrWo.dpuf