Horses Helping People with Disabilities in China

 Greeting HOPE supporters,

 Happy Year of the Fire Horse. Below is a recap of HOPE’s last year - a busy one!

 HOPE Program Highlights:

• 105 individuals participated for a total 1,532 total service hours.
• 28 attendees for adaptive riding and groundwork sessions each week (excluding summer camps).
• Pro bono Equine Assisted Services (EAS) were offered to organizations who serve folks with special needs. (Plus, a yummy volunteer-cooked lunch was included!) 13 events were held for 31 participants, for a total of 242 hours.
• Summer Camp had 27 participants from across the country, totaling 432 hours.
• 12 “Inclusion Activity Weekends” with 28 participants, totaling 176 hours.
• A pediatric physical therapist works at HOPE two half-days/week, providing consultation and treatment in the classroom.

Volunteer Highlights:

• 345 volunteers contributed 6,172 volunteer hours!
• A group established the HOPE Horse Art & Handicraft Workshop, leading older kids to create handicrafts. Their products were sold at charity events with the proceeds split between HOPE and the children’s families.
• Another group organized concerts and social gatherings for children to showcase their talents and provide enrichment. 

EAS Education:

• The Hong Kong Jockey Club held the first Horses in Equine-Assisted Services Forum in Beijing, bringing together people from across the country who were interested in EAS. The HOPE teampresented on theoretical foundations and practical experience of equine-assisted services
• Program Director Lucia Zhou and a participant spoke to local leaders and volunteer groups at the Shunyi District Social Work Department.

Honors:

• HOPE was awarded “Capital’s Best Volunteer Service Project” by the Beijing Municipal Party Committee Propaganda Department.
• Founder Priscilla Lightsey received a Letter of Commendation from the Gaoliying Town Government, Shunyi District.

HOPE team in Beijing:

• Full-time: Lucia Zhou, Chenxi Ma, Wanqi Guo, Sishun Fu.
• Part-time: Shuanghong Li, Yanbo Zhao, Xiaoshu Yuan, Lu Zhang, Wenyue Li, Hejin Li.
• Equine Partners: Mu’er, Tank, HeiShan, An’an, Dabao.

In closing, dear HOPE supporters, a heart-felt thank you for helping us grow, teach others about EAS, and provide opportunities for children and adults with disabilities to improve their quality of life. We also want to say thank you Dong Fang Ma Hui Equestrian Club for allowing us to work out of their lovely stables.

Gratefully yours,

Priscilla, Amy & the HOPE team

*Individuals named have provided consent to be in this report.