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The mission of Eseltjiesrus Donkey Sanctuary in the Western
Cape, South Africa, is to provide care for abused, neglected and
elderly donkeys and to create a culture of respect for all
living creatures.
Eseltjiesrus Donkey sanctuary is registered as a Non Profit
Organisation (NPO) and a Public Benefit Organisation (PBO).
The establishment of the sanctuary has led to the
creation of jobs
for both skilled and unskilled workers in a region with high
unemployment.
As the current interim premises are inadequate in the long term,
it will be necessary to eventually secure
a permanent home for the Donkey Sanctuary.
This could be by means of an outright purchase
or
by rental. One model that will be explored would be for a
supporter to purchase a property and to lease it to the Donkey
Sanctuary.
The
Sanctuary is however more than a place of refuge for abused,
abandoned, aged and neglected donkeys. Since 2008 a key focus
has been an educational component
(mainly funded by The Donkey Sanctuary in the United Kingdom)
which has a three-fold approach:
a.
Classroom project - a resource pack for teachers aimed at Grades
1 to 6 is available in both English and Afrikaans. The final
pack was launched in January 2011 after a pilot pack was tested
in 14 schools in 2009. The pack covers the three basic learning
areas of literacy, numeracy and life skills and is designed to
provide a variety of learning resources for teachers with a
focus on donkeys through exercises, drama, poems and stories.
(link to Resource Pack for educators)
b.
Field trips to Eseltjiesrus are used to teach the learners about
donkeys and their care and to broaden this aspect to the care of
animals and social responsibility in general.
c.
Outings to Eseltjiesrus for children and adults with special
needs which allow direct interaction with the donkeys (e.g.
through brushing and touching). These outings provide a
therapeutic context for contact with gentle donkeys.
But primarily the Donkey Sanctuary provides an immediate and
humane response to the needs of gentle and patient creatures
that are all too often maltreated and made to endure truly
horrific circumstances. |