For a while now we have been trying to figure out how we can give back to our community with regard to the knowledge and passion we have for horses.  We have been blessed with a beautiful stable yard and amazing people in our lives and our dream is to share what we have.  We were approached by Magda Buining and Mesia Ndhlovu, who started The Yellow Elephant School for orphan children in Acornhoek.  With great enthusiasm we decided to start a Saturday programme to teach the children English and horse care. English is crucial if they hope to find good employment in the future and the horse care is fun, it inspires, plus creates an awareness of animal care which they can share with others in their community.

Saturday May 8th
Forty-eight children arrived and none of them had ever seen a horse.  We had an awesome morning starting off with giving each child their own book and pencil where they proceeded to draw a horse and labeling parts in English.   They then had their first ever pony ride and it was amazing to see their smiles and I know every one of them had an experience of a lifetime.  Our staff member, Josia, also spoke to the children explaining how he grew up in Acornhoek and has been working with horses for 19 years and it is a career that he loves. 
We finished with lunch and warm goodbyes! 

Saturday May 16th
Again forty-eight children arrived where they were given a practical lesson and then divided up, some got to brush the horses, some had practice leading the horses while others rode.  One young girl who was too nervous to ride on the first Saturday built up the courage to ride and had a big smile of delight.  Again lunch was made and it was a pleasure to see how the children left the stables clean and tidy with laughter and in good spirits. 

Would you like to help?
Unfortunately there is the expense of getting the children from Acornhoek to Hoedspruit as well as feeding as many as 50 children lunch, giving them juice and a sweet.  If there is anyone who can help with a transport vehicle or contribute towards the weekly trip, bread, peanut butter, jam and juice I know the children would be grateful!

Saturday June 6th
Today was filled with excitement as the children were given out their T-shirts, which were sponsored by David at The Cap Company.  They all proudly posed for their photos and then it was on to work.  Today we taught them the different colours of horses and they then had to go around in groups and see how many horses there are in the different colours they learnt.  Again lunch was eaten and thanks to good friends scones were donated.