Funda Nenja

MAKING A DIFFERENCE DIFFERENTLY

In the township of Mpophomeni in the KZN Midlands, children are learning that caring for one’s dogs enhances one’s own sense of self-confidence and develops the values of compassion, empathy, and kindness.

Funda Nenja, which translates to “Learning with a dog” in isiZulu, is a One Welfare NPO that uses dog training as a vehicle for personal development and humane education. Their aim is to improve the quality of life for both township children and their dogs. Funda Nenja believes that instilling values of kindness, respect, and compassion through positive reinforcement training of their dogs changes children’s attitudes and emotional responses towards their dogs. Adrienne Olivier, the founder of this ground-breaking NPO, said, “We are investing in the future, not just applying a Band-Aid approach to animal welfare. These children will become agents of change and role models of responsible, caring dog owners in their communities.”

THE ORIGINS

Olivier, a professional dog training instructor and founder of Funda Nenja, saw the need for humane education while volunteering at SPCA outreach clinics in the local townships. “It was greatly distressing to see the cruel, coercive manhandling of the dogs. It made sense to show people a better way of dealing with their dogs.”

With the help of local SPCA field officers, Olivier advertised the first workshop. The goal was a short-term project aimed at teaching school children the humane handling of their dogs. “I rounded up a group of SPCA volunteers and some relatively experienced handlers from my dog school to assist with instruction. We had no idea what the response from the community would be, and we set out with no real plan other than a determination to make a difference”. The first session was attended by 12 boys and their dogs. Each week the numbers increased. We soon realised the project might extend for longer than originally anticipated, and so Funda Nenja was formally registered as an NPO.

Ten years later, Funda Nenja went from exchanging ropes and chains for flat collars and leads, and teaching the basics of dog training using lure and reward, to becoming a nationally sought-after programme attracting attention from international welfare organisations and media from across the globe. Olivier explains, “It started as a loose, informal activity that happened once a week with the help of volunteers. We’ve developed into a completely structured non-profit organisation with full-time staff and a dedicated team of more than 20 volunteers who share the passion and vision of Funda Nenja.”

TODAY

Funda Nenja’s activities in the area consist of three touchpoints. Firstly, the dog school teaches basic dog training skills and teaches children how to care for and communicate with dogs on a weekly basis during school terms. In addition, the Animal Welfare Education Officer pays each family registered with the organisation a home visit to give further guidance and support while ensuring that the lessons learnt at the dog school are implemented at home.

Secondly, the overall health and welfare of the dogs are monitored, with free rabies and deworming given to all, while community dogs in need of veterinary care have access to the weekly primary veterinary care clinic on site. A monthly sterilisation clinic helps stem the tide of puppies and controls the dog population.

Finally, Funda Nenja also offers a Family Support Programme in which a social worker provides services and support to children, caretakers, parents and extended family. Following a One Welfare policy, Funda Nenja recognises that human and animal welfare is interlinked and dependent upon each other. Lisa Button, the project administrator, says, “Funda Nenja is serving the entire community through our social welfare programmes. We assist the very poor families with clothing and food parcels in certain circumstances. Our social worker also offers free family counselling and assistance in getting birth certificates, child grants etc., a service no one else is offering in Mpophomeni.”

Funda Nenja also offers both part-time and full-time employment to members of the Mpophomeni community, where more than half the population is unemployed. In addition, it has provided career skills for other dog-related jobs. Past participants from the Funda Nenja dog school programme have gone on to find work as dog handlers, dog groomers, and kennel assistants at local veterinary practices and boarding facilities.

However, the whole initiative’s starting point is the children’s relationship with their dogs. “By offering dog training classes to the community, bonding and education takes place, and both the dogs and their humans enjoy a richer relationship and a happy, healthy life together,” says Olivier. “We now very rarely see a dog looking underweight or suffering from bad mange, for instance. Over the 12 years that we have worked in Mpophomeni we are seeing that dogs are now being regarded more as companion animals, some of which are even lucky enough to be allowed to sleep indoors at night.”

Button adds, “Funda Nenja believes that if we can get dog owners to value their dogs and develop a bond with them, then the quality of life of the dog will be enhanced.”

LEARN MORE

Funda Nenja’s model of animal welfare is inspiring other animal welfare organisations to start similar projects in their part of the world. To assist this process, Funda Nenja is presenting a seminar in early August to share their lessons learnt and give some guidelines on how to go about things. For further information, contact Lisa Button at projectadmin@fundanenja.co.za.