A PROGRAM FOR NEWLY ARRIVED REFUGEE CHILDREN AND IS RUN AS A NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION.
FINANCING IS THROUGH FUNDS, FOUNDATIONS, CORPORATIONS AND PRIVATE DONORS.
500 CHILDREN CONDUCT HÄSTIS COURSES 2016, 2000 CHILDREN IN 2017 AND 5000 CHILDREN 2018.
The first project was to implement a pilot project. The project was funded by www.Reach for Change.org, a foundation with a mission to innovate a better world for children.
Two groups of children from Stockholms largest asylum ackommodation for families with 150 children conducted a “Hästis” course in January/February 2016. A “Hästis” course covers preparatory knowledge of horse care and is implemented during four separate activity occasions during one month. The children do the course together with two parents and one interpreter.
The “Hästis” course was conducted at Hågelby 4H-gård in Tumba (Click to website).
Information in arabic was communicated and children signed up on a list.
Many more children signed up than the course had capacity for.
Important learnings was that getting the information out in arabic and build trust with the parents is critical for success. Also finding people that can help with translation on each occasion.
Most positive was the huge interest from both children and parents. And the helpfulness from the people working at the asylum accommodation.
The children went from clarity to clarity. First fear, then uncertainty that transformed into curiosity. Curiosity that turned into joy. The joy revealed that several of the children had learned a lot of Swedish in only a few months. Without having started school.
The parents told us that many of the children never had seen animals, only bombs.
The earnest gaze every child had disappeared and it was very clear how they grew within themselves as the course went on.
138 children are waiting for us to come back to do more ”Hästis” courses.
What happens now
Financing for 2016 was secured in May.
Hästis courses started with an asylum accommodation west of Stockholm just before the summer.
Hästis courses begin the first week of September with asylum accommodations in Stockholm area.
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Sweden 4H
The 4H-Farm should mimic a Swedish farm with self catering. The animals kept are often of Swedish breeds. Also cultivated plants are species found in Swedish farms.
One of 4H-farm’s main goal is that everyone in the farm take active part in all the tasks that occur. Children and young people are thus early to learn to take responsibility and the individual’s personality development is promoted in accordance with our motto; “Learning by doing”.
Hågelby 4H-farm is a small close to the city farm with horses, sheep, goats, miniature pigs, chickens, rabbits, cats and other small animals. Read more on the website.
Swartlings Riding School
Swartlings Riding School was founded in 1905 and is one of the oldest riding schools in Sweden.
Swartlings Riding school work in different ways to promote members’ interest in riding and to create a nice riding and stable environment. An environment where fellowship and safety are the focus for both children and adults. Read more on the website.