Educating kids in Khayelitsha about animal care
The Mdzananda Animal Clinic is making remarkable progress in its mission to educate the youth of Khayelitsha about animal care. Collaborating with local schools, the clinic has integrated animal care lessons into the life skills curriculum for the years 2023 and 2024, with plans to extend these sessions on an ongoing basis.
In 2024 alone, the clinic’s educational outreach has reached 780 children, providing them with vital knowledge on animal healthcare, behaviour, feeding, exercise, and the importance of compassion. These sessions are designed to foster a deeper understanding of animal welfare and instil valuable life skills in young learners.
On July 26, the latest educational session took place at Vuselela Primary School. During this event, 152 students aged 12 to 14 participated in activities focused on animal care. Each participant received a goodie bag that included a “Hero in My Hood” educational activity book, a badge, and crayons, all designed to reinforcing the day’s lessons.
Marcelle du Plessis, Fundraising and Communications Executive at Mdzananda Animal Clinic, highlighted the broader benefits of the programme: “At Mdzananda, we believe that caring for animals teaches qualities such as respect for life, compassion, companionship, and responsibility.
“These attributes not only enhance children’s ability to care for animals but also contribute to their development into well-rounded, empathetic adults.”
The session at Vuselela Primary marks the end of this year’s school collaborations. Looking ahead, Mdzananda Animal Clinic plans to broaden its educational efforts by partnering with community book clubs, other non-profit organisations, and grassroots groups. This expansion aims to provide both children and adults with continued education on animal care.
Carolyn Dudgeon, Programme Manager at Mdzananda, expressed her thoughts on the programme’s impact: “How a community cares for their pets reflects on how the community functions as a whole. A more compassionate approach towards animals fosters a more compassionate community overall. We are proud to be part of this positive change.”
To date, Mdzananda has invested R20,000 in educational goodie bags without external funding. The clinic invites members of the public to support this initiative by sponsoring a goodie bag for R55 per child.
Donations can be made to Mdzananda Animal Clinic at Standard Bank, Account number: 075595710, Branch code: 025009, Savings Account. Please use the reference “education + your name” when making a contribution.
IOL