Limpopo Reflection

Limpopo Reflection

On our recent meeting, the American International School of Johannesburg students made a decision to perform a final edit on the Limpopo students born-free stories no later then March 25. During the AISJ meeting we discussed the things that we would need to edit such as tightening the focus and rechecking all grammar and spelling. The preliminary projections on this project are to forward the final edits to a teacher who specializes in English as a second language, where he will do the final master editing. In the mean time we will be searching for publishers to accept our stories and publish them around January 2015. 

During this meeting on our minute notes, we the AISJ students discussed the importance of assisting the Limpopo students by walking them down the footpath to apply for college. In future meetings we will have many discussions in reference to making this possible. At this point all we have is the framework.

By publishing and promoting our book on the Limpopo students born-free stories we are hoping it will create international awareness on global importance. By encouraging and guiding the Limpopo students through the college process we feel we would have a higher success rate of young educated born-free students. Thus, allowing them to be a productive member of society participating in issues of global importance.

My personal learning moment during our AISJ meeting is that a lot of people are involved in helping make this project work. One person can start a chain, but it takes a group to sustain it. I am glad to be part of this team as the communications officer. I am motivated and excited to be working with students my own age to help them achieve great things. This particular project is on a grand scale, involving many people. I can’t relate any other experience to this one. Changes that are desired is that the AISJ students are given more one on one time to work with the students on improving their writing. No conflicts arose so far. We hope we don’t have any problems or issues finding a publisher.

The AISJ student’s future goals on this action plan are to meet the Limpopo students September/October 2014 to tie everything together. I see this project as bridge to connect these students into careers such as doctors, lawyers, and teachers. The possibilities are endless.

Shumbashaba Reflection 3 - 6 - 14

Shumbashaba Reflection

Today on Thursday March 6, 2014 I had the pleasure of learning how to bath Mick the Horse. I learned that a special shampoo is used named tea tree oil. The interesting part is you don’t put it directly on the horse, but rather mix it in water to create a soapy mixture. I found great pleasure and relaxation in both the horse and myself.

First and foremost we need horse cleaning supplies including: a bucket, tea tree oil shampoo, and a stiff grooming brush. Now place a halter on your horse and lead him to the wash rack. A wash rack is a cubicle where the horse stands and the water moves away from his feet into a drain. Use a bucket to mix warm water and tea tree oil shampoo. Grab the stiff grooming brush and dip and lather it well in the soapy mixture. Begin to wash your horse. Be sure to rub in the direction of the hair growth. Cover the entire body except his head. This completes the washing. Now lets rinse your horse with a hose with the water gently spraying to remove shampoo. Next the face and head, dip a sponge into clean plain water with no shampoo and gently clean his face and head slowly. Last but not least the horses tail. Fill a bucket with warm water and tea tree oil shampoo, then bring the bucket of water to the tail and dip, swish, and squeeze the dirt out. Clean the top of the tail with a sponge. Rinse the tail off with several clean buckets of water, from top to bottom. Now, on to drying the horse. Rub a towel over the horses’ body in the same direction of hair growth. Continue to rub and squeeze the towel to remove water. Walk your horse in the sun for ten minutes to thoroughly dry.

This new challenge encouraged me to develop a new skill in which I thoroughly enjoyed. And I’ll speak for Mick the Horse; I think he did too. My weakness was that I didn’t have the proper attire to get wet in. In return, I learned that I need to be prepared in my clothing choices and shoes next time. The strength that I developed is a stronger bicep J. I didn’t realize by reaching so high up and bringing your arm down in a scrubbing motion was such effort. By interacting with horses on a regular basis, can be healthy for both the horse and myself. In addition, I am developing bonds with the horses.

This is enhancing my knowledge of large animals and the skills needed in which I will pursue in my future endeavors. My own limitation is lack of experience that will be improved each and every Thursday that I volunteer.

Washing horses I can relate on a smaller scale with washing my dogs at home. I know the importance of keeping their coats clean for hygiene and comfort purposes. This knowledge that I have learned from bathing horses encourages me to be excited about what challenge awaits me next. I know that caring for horses is not only a costly expense, but also they are very time consuming, and knowledge and expertise must be learned for the horses benefit.

I’d like to thank Shumbashaba for giving me the opportunity to work with their adorable gorgeous animals. I can tell by the gentleness of each horse that they have dedicated employees that work hours upon hours to care and love for these animals. I am so proud to be part of this incredible experience and I see my future involved with Shumbashaba for the rest of my high school duration.

Shumbashaba Reflection 2 - 20 - 14

Shumbashaba Reflection

On Thursday February 20, 2014 I experienced a wonderful learning challenge on the skills needed to put a bit and bridle on a horse.

First select the bridle for your horse. My horse was named Lucky. Be sure your horse is tied to a pole or secured with a halter. Size the bridle to your horse and ensure the sizing is correct; otherwise it will pull on the horse’s mouth. Make sure to adjust the height of the cheek straps. Place yourself next to your horse’s shoulder on the side. The reins should be in your left hand and the headstall in your right hand. Place the headstall over the horse’s head and bring the bridle under the chin to rest on its nose. Then offer your horse the bit. If he doesn’t open his mouth to accept, then put your thumb in the corner of his mouth until he opens to place the bit into his mouth. Place the headstall over your horses’ ears gently placing his ears into the loops. This might take many tries. Adjust the cheek pieces to fit your horses’ mouth. Be sure to have at least a hand width space under the throat latch, this space allows the horse to breath correctly. Check the brow band, it should fit snug. The reins should be the correct length for you horse, as it needs to allow room for the horse to stretch and move normally.

My weakness from day one working at Shumbashaba has been my inexperience on working with large animals such as horses. I had to overcome the fear of being kicked or bitten. I have adjusted well and realize that horses are unable to see their feet; thus, you must be aware of your position to the horse. Knowing this bit of knowledge, I now have the ability to control my fears by keeping a conscious thought and awareness of my position to the horse. Therefore, my strengths are coming forth through my confidence, ability to relax, and to enjoy the experience. I still know that I have many other limitations that will come with experience. I am willing to take on the challenge.

This particular experience working with horses is definitely a passion of mine. If I had to relate it to my other experiences, working at Limpopo and Afrika Tikkun; I feel this is giving me a great well-rounded volunteering curriculum. This is from helping people to helping animals. For example, when I worked with the young teenagers from Limpopo, patience is definitely key to communicating and interacting. I found this true to working with large animal as well. I must communicate with the stable men in reference to the expertise, then I am able to interact with the animals safely.

Changes that might be necessary for me in this scenario working with the horses would be to investigate some background information on horses and their care. I have researched on the Internet methods of caring for horses and found it very helpful in applying it to the real scenario.

I feel like I have resolved the conflict of my fear through knowledge and hands on experience. I am very excited and appreciative that I have this opportunity to volunteer at Shumbashaba. Also, I am extremely grateful to be under the wings of the experts guiding me to work with their gentle giants. I am committed to every Thursday happily. I really look forward to every Thursday and the knowledge and experience that I will take away form this will enhance my future career working with animals in zoology.