Funda Nenja

Funda Nenja Funda Nenja is a unique One Welfare NPO that uses a holistic approach to promote animal welfare and social change.

Funda Nenja roughly translates from isiZulu as ‘learning with a dog’. The aim is to develop respect and compassion for all living beings by using dog training as a vehicle. The project runs in the township of Mpophomeni, near Howick, in the KZN Midlands of South Africa. An average of 100 children and their dogs attend the weekly dog training sessions which happen on Friday afternoons at Sifisesihl

e Primary School in the township. Classes are given by volunteer instructors, all of whom have gone through the training program themselves. Regular workshops are held for the approximately 20 community volunteers in order to increase their knowledge of dog training and behaviour, as well as enhancing their teaching skills. All dogs on the program are fitted with a collar and a lead and are dewormed. The handlers are given training treats during classes and for training at home. The overall health and welfare of the animals is monitored for disease etc and dogs needing veterinary attention are given free veterinary care. Funda Nenja also sterilises dogs registered in the dog school programme free of charge. Children on the program learn about animal welfare and how to train their dogs while learning self-discipline, commitment and responsibility which encourages personal growth and self-worth. The well-being of children is cared for by the services of a Social Worker who engages with the children and intervenes if their families need support in areas such as counseling, accessing vital documents for social grants or referrals to other agencies. At each training session the learners are given a fruit juice and a piece of fruit.

Leslie McDevitt, an acclaimed American dog trainer said: "Dog training is about the relationship, which is the same thin...
06/06/2026

Leslie McDevitt, an acclaimed American dog trainer said:

"Dog training is about the relationship, which is the same thing as a connection. It’s about empathy, compassion – about the ability to put yourself in someone else’s place. How can you be a really good trainer if you can’t put yourself in the dog’s paws? Any species can frustrate you and not behave the way you think they should, and you need to take a breath and step out of your ego – that’s a really important thing for dog trainers to learn how to do."

It is through this process of developing dog handling skills, and bonding with their dogs, that the youngsters participating in the Funda Nenja dog school program learn to be caring, kind and empathetic people who will be future role models and leaders in their communities.

We strive to make the world a more compassionate place one dog and one child at a time.



Our winter warmth project continues alongside our family support program which is headed by our dedicated social worker....
05/06/2026

Our winter warmth project continues alongside our family support program which is headed by our dedicated social worker.

Zinhle reported that this past week a number of elders in the Mpophomeni community were given donated handknitted blankets and beanies, together with vegetable hampers and dog food, all of which was gratefully received.

Our One Welfare program is sustained by the generous support we receive from donors and supporters for which we are most thankful.Together we make a difference to the lives of people and their companion animals.


Thanks to our policy of regular home visits, in particular to those recently joining the dog school program, dogs like S...
04/06/2026

Thanks to our policy of regular home visits, in particular to those recently joining the dog school program, dogs like Shepherd and Khakhi are given a better quality of life.

It is common for township dogs to be chained, often for the safety of the dog living in a property that is not safely secured and the risk of being knocked by passing vehicles is high. Sometimes dogs are chained even in secure yards because people know no better.

Both Shepherd and Khakhi were initially found chained in less than ideal conditions, but a subsequent visit found that them enjoying freedom of movement in their secure yards with access to shelter and fresh water.

Our animal welfare staff educate and support dog owners while nurturing trust and fostering responsible pet ownership.



We have been closely associated with the Hills 1000 Paws Walk for many years. We value and support the work of the local...
03/06/2026

We have been closely associated with the Hills 1000 Paws Walk for many years. We value and support the work of the local SPCA's and wish them a successful event. Pop along after your walk to say Hi to us at our Funda Nenja table.

Research has long revealed that there is a clear link between childhood abuse, neglect and exposure to violence, and the...
03/06/2026

Research has long revealed that there is a clear link between childhood abuse, neglect and exposure to violence, and the later violent and aggressive behaviour observed in some adults.

The way in which we respond to children who experience violence, neglect and abuse today, will determine the level of violence we could experience in the future.

The Funda Nenja programme helps develop empathy and compassion through the medium of force- free dog training classes, and indirectly helps prevent youth from becoming involved in anti-social and violent behaviour. Classes are taught by young people from the local community, who have themselves gone through the program, and who act as good role-models to their peers.

Funda Nenja adopts a One Welfare approach to social change which benefits both the young people and their dogs which participate in the weekly dog training classes.




Funda Nenja is proud to be recognised by GARC as a Rabies Centre of Excellence. As part of the Communities Against Rabie...
02/06/2026

Funda Nenja is proud to be recognised by GARC as a Rabies Centre of Excellence. As part of the Communities Against Rabies Program, we are working towards a rabies free future for everyone.

Last week our outreach team vaccinated 120 companion animals in the rural area of KwaMpande. Funda Nenja is playing its part in making communities safer from rabies.




Through the Funda Nenja dog training program, learners develop various vital skills, values, and human qualities, includ...
01/06/2026

Through the Funda Nenja dog training program, learners develop various vital skills, values, and human qualities, including responsibility, patience, empathy, respect, perseverance, punctuality, emotional well-being, and increased self-worth.

Our dog school is truly a place where young people learn with their dogs.

We aim to make learning fun and engaging at our dog school where action learning is the main approach. Our dog school ma...
31/05/2026

We aim to make learning fun and engaging at our dog school where action learning is the main approach. Our dog school manager shared this report about last Friday’s session:

"The children and dogs all had fun this afternoon, competing against each other and showing off their dogs skills.

From the new children and puppies being guided by their instructors, to the top class, each child was given an opportunity to participate and receive a small prize.

Tennis balls, novelty pens, bubbles and spinning tops were all happily received."

Integrating pleasure and play into education makes a massive difference by making information easier to recall in the long term.

Yesterday the weather in Mpophomeni was very cold so after these pups had been checked over and treated at the clinic, t...
30/05/2026

Yesterday the weather in Mpophomeni was very cold so after these pups had been checked over and treated at the clinic, they were invited over to the pop-up shop where they were given warm jackets and blankets.

We hope to see these youngsters and their puppies again in the near future to join the dog school when the pups are a little older.

By providing the necessary services, resources and education, Funda Nenja helps Mpophomeni dogs enjoy a better quality of life.

One of the distinctive features of Funda Nenja's approach to animal welfare education is our practice of regular home vi...
29/05/2026

One of the distinctive features of Funda Nenja's approach to animal welfare education is our practice of regular home visits. We have found this approach to be instrumental in achieving results and a change of both mindsets and how people care for their companion animals.

Here is an excerpt from our annual report for the past financial year:

"Despite ongoing challenges, we have remained unwavering in our mission to uplift the lives of animals and their owners through compassionate care, hands-on support and education. Our guiding belief continues to be that animal welfare education is not only essential for the wellbeing of dogs but also for building a more empathetic and responsible society.

Home visits remain the foundation of our outreach. They provide meaningful opportunities to create lasting change by addressing immediate needs while equipping owners with sustainable solutions. Strengthening the human-animal bond is at the heart of this work. Each visit was not only about improving conditions but
also about building trust, sharing knowledge and fostering long-term change for both owner and animal. These visits allowed us to:

Replace chains with humane alternatives

Provide shelter to protect dogs from harsh conditions

Ensure daily access to clean water and nutritious food

Encourage sterilization as a preventative health measure

Work with the SPCA to ensure sick/injured animals receive care and to facilitate safe surrender of animals when necessary

Educate owners on responsible pet ownership

Support safe environments for dogs

Our aim is to teach the community about the importance of basic animal welfare and to reduce animal suffering through early ntervention and education.

In 2025, we conducted a total of 752 home visits reaching new participants, long-term members and households across the broader community.

During these visits we provided essential services such as:

Rabies vaccinations
Deworming treatments
Tick and flea treatments
Minor wound care
Education based on the internationally recognized Five Domains of Animal Welfare

These interventions not only improved the immediate wellbeing of animals but also empowered owners with knowledge to sustain long-term change."

Address

Mpophomeni Sports Stadium
Mpophomeni
3290

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