Help Upper Highway vaulters reach new heights
The Assagay-based organisation hopes to create new opportunities for underprivileged children in the Valley.
A GROUP of dedicated and enthusiastic children from the Valley of 1 000 Hills, who train in equestrian vaulting, have qualified to compete in the South African Championships in Ballito in early September.
Golden Wings is the non-profit organisation that hosts training sessions for disadvantaged children from Cliffdale and KwaNdengezi, and its founder and the team’s instructor, Sonja Rahn, is passionate about empowerment.
The children have been mentored and trained in the sport, which can be likened to gymnastics on horseback, for the last four years.
“When they first started, most of them had never seen a horse up close before, and certainly none of them had ever ridden. From nervous, shy, unsure beginnings, these children have developed into confident young horsemen and women. They have grown in character, responsibility to their horse and each other,” said a proud Rahn.
“It has been a pleasure to watch them grow in so many different ways as they have struggled through the rigors of their training while trying to form a partnership with their horse and each other, and they have become a strong team unit.”
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The SA Champs will be held in Ballito from September, 2 to September 5 and the team needs the support of the Highway community to make their dreams a reality. To compete, the NPO needs to raise R20 500. This includes outfits and shoes (R8 500), competition entry fees for the team (R8 000) as well as transport and food for the children and the horses (R4 000).
The Golden Wings children will participate in various categories of the competition and three of whom, who made it onto the KZN team, will compete against other provincial teams from across South Africa.
“We are so happy the competition is going ahead this year as last year’s event was cancelled due to the pandemic. The children have persevered with training despite the lockdown difficulties and stoppages enforced on us last year. We are appealing for desperately needed financial support to be able to get our children to SA Champs,” said Rahn.
To make a donation, contact Sonja Rahn on 076 020 9224.
Donate:
Bank: Standard Bank
Account name: Golden Wings
Account number: 10117542871
Reference: SA Champs
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