Description
Since 2005, the 17th century Vodja Manor has hosted the Vodja School, an alternative educational environment that provides inclusive learning opportunities for children with educational challenges. The project provides funding for both structural improvements to the estate and the programming necessary to ensure that those improvements meaningfully benefit the schoolchildren and larger community. The mansion's stables will be renovated and three horses will be acquired. After receiving international certificates in equine therapy, three Vodja School staff members will work to integrate equine-based psychotherapy into the school's programming. Children will receive equine therapy, which has been shown to provide important psychological benefits, such as reduced stress. Additionally, through activities like plowing and firewood transport, the horses will be directly integrated into the school's outdoor education programs, allowing students to gain firsthand experience with traditional Estonian tradition in this area. Donor partners are not involved in the project.
Summary of project results
Vodja manor houses a branch of a private school. Due to a small number of pupils it is very well suited also for the children that need more attention. The aim of the project “Learning with horses” was to implement new learning methods. A historic but abandoned former manor stable was restored and serves again as a horse stable. The school bought three horses and in the frames of the project three members of the school staff were trained in equine therapy and 4 special programmes for learning with horses were prepared. The new method is in active use for local children but has caught the eye of many other and the manor has already received a high number of visitors. Learning with horses helps to develop social skills and care for others, to reduce school violence, etc. Due to the project a very active network has been created both on international level and local level to develop the activities. The project has been very successful creating new services to assist the children, implement new learning methods, enhance cooperation and promote the school. Renovating a historic but abandoned building and giving it a new sustainable function has helped to draw the attention to the other historic buildings and has initiated other restoration activities in the complex.
Summary of bilateral results