/Sunday, January 06, 2008
I've being raving about to my close friends about this exciting volunteering opportunity I have came across in my mailbox. It's actually organized by Aisecers (in fact, the current Aiesec volunteers for this program are all alumnis of NUS & NTU, ranging from the '02 batch to the '07 batch!) I guess students are too busy fretting over their final semesters now. *hecks*
The whole idea of therapeutic horse-riding for disabled children that can help them to build up their self-confidence, spartial & coordination skills thru' obstacles games just seems so unique and appealing to me! Apparantly, it does wonders for some of the little riders and 2 of the kids that had went thru' this program eventually became successful para-olympians! Simply amazing~
If you are interested in working with "these-abled-children" (they are children with CP, autism and ADHD) at Riding For The Disabled Association of Singapore (RDA),
Highly interested in working with horses,
Able to commit for 10-sessions, every saturday, starting from 12 January'08 (it's ok if you can't come for all 10 sessions),
Do let me know!
There are 2 slots: 3pm - 3.45pm & 4pm - 4.45pm (You can choose to come for either slot)
For more info, you can visit the RDA website:
http://www.rdasingapore.org/
I attended the training session last saturday and got to walk around with two beautiful horses during the training session;
Meet Chester, a handsome brown stallion with an unique spade branding on it's left leg,
And the adorable Laurie, a cute white pony with a spotted trail running thru it's mane.
As a volunteer, my role is to be a ‘Sidewalker’ that walks beside the horse, guiding and motivating the rider to achieve the tasks and activities set by the instructor.
There are 3 volunteers attached to each child and horse - 2 sidewalkers that are situated on both sides of the horse, and the third person is in charge of leading the horse (& making sure it doesn't bite, these horses can be like women sometimes - tempermental creatures *hecks*)
Boy oh boy, these horses really have character man! Some were really grumpy that day and kept wanting to bite the leaders (usually a more experienced volunteer). But dun worry, they can't bite you becos they are strapped around their mouths.
The horses are actually retired raceshorse or polo horses. It's a good thing that RDA exists and there are kind donors who sponsers these horses.
It's really sad to know that it's common practise for race & polo horses to be put down after they have passed their prime and when their glorious moments of triumph have ceased.
I never knew horses could be such emo-creatures with many stories to tell.
it just ain't right @ Sunday, January 06, 2008
Meet Chester, a handsome brown stallion with an unique spade branding on it's left leg,
And the adorable Laurie, a cute white pony with a spotted trail running thru it's mane.