A group of young people, aged between 16 and 21 years old, belonging to the JOOP Programme (Jove Oportunitat) designed and organised by the IVAJ (Institut Valencià de la Joventut) and financed by the European Social Fund, recently had the opportunity to visit the EASY HORSE CARE RESCUE CENTRE Foundation, located in the municipality of Rojales. These young people who do not have academic qualifications or work experience, visited as part of this motivational and guidance programme.
The boys and girls, together with the Town Council technician and their teacher, were able to see the great work that the Centre carries out by rescuing and caring for 120 horses, ponies and donkeys that have been abandoned and / or mistreated. This programme is a second chance for these young people just like at the Rescue Centre where all the animals have a second chance at life too.
Miriam Ferrández, Rojales group teacher affirmed “This visit has helped them to become aware of the importance of caring for and respecting animals, and in some of them, the idea of participating as volunteers has been aroused, something that is very positive, given that their profiles are of young people who do not study or work.”
One of the participants said “It was very nice to be able to touch the animals and be with them, but at the same time it was very sad to hear their stories and to know that there are people who treat animals like that. Luckily there are places like this where they are helped and are happy again.”
And another student said “I’ve always liked animals, I do not understand that there are people capable of hurting them or abandoning them. I would like to volunteer here.”
EHCRC was very excited that they had chosen to visit the Centre and very encouraged to see how interested the young people were in the animals and how concerned they were about the abuse and neglect that the animals had suffered.
Employment is a big issue in the area and EHCRC currently employ three local people but they could do so much more for the local community and the 120 equines in their care as well as for animal welfare in general if the funding was available to employ more people. Rojales council are incredibly supportive and are continuing to pursue possibilities to include EHCRC in Employment and Tourism opportunities. Should funding become available maybe one or more of these young people could end up working at the Centre in the future!
On the topic of Tourism, the Rescue Centre is currently number 1 on Trip Advisor’s List of Things To Do in Rojales. https://www.tripadvisor.com
Also the Centre is now receiving more visitors from far afield including holiday makers who are on cruises and dock in Alicante and if the date doesn’t coincide with an Open Day then they can easily organise a Private Tour. EHCRC is also now appearing in some in flight magazines like Flybe.
If you would like to find out more information on visiting, supporting and donating then check out their website http://easyhorsecare.net/
