Horses and donkeys play a vital role in developing countries. They make transport easier for people living in rural communities, and give people, especially women, a chance to earn a living.
The Brooke, an international animal welfare organization and charity is working with owners in the Lemmo area of Ethiopia to introduce forage crops that they can grow around their homes, which are vital in improving the feed supply to working animals.
Merkeb Mulatu, 25, lives in Ajo village with her elderly father and her brothers. Her family relies on their five donkeys for everything from fetching water to carrying tombstones from the reservoir to the market where they sell them. Depending on the size of the stones, the donkeys can make up to three hour-long trips a day.
Before she met The Brooke’s trainers, Merkeb didn’t know much about animal welfare. Donkeys are left to forage and scavenge for whatever food they can find, and because most donkeys are overloaded they are wounded and exhausted. As a result, the family struggles to earn more than 50 Birr (around £2) per day.
“Before I knew about these alternative feeding methods my donkeys wounds used to stay for a long time and they were exposed to infections and diseases. Sometimes they died, and I found it hard to afford to buy a new donkey.
As a member of the donkey owners group, Merkeb is among 26 women who have received training on growing forage crops like oats and fodder beet. They’ve also had practical training on harvesting crops and feeding their animals. Merkeb now prepares the donkey’s feed and takes care of their welfare at home.
“My donkeys don’t get wounded in the first place and if they do, they heal much faster because of the nutritious feed they’re getting. I feed them wheat bran mixed with oil, chopped oats, the fodder beet and the residue of a local beer and make sure I give them enough rest. Our donkeys have become strong and powerful, and we earn more than 100 Birr a day. Others have also seen and shared experiences and I encourage them to feed their equines well.”
Another beneficiary Zewdie Gizaw, 70, is a widow, and lives with her 4 children and her elderly mother. She grows crops in her back yard and her donkey, Bullit helps her to carry water and transport goods to market.
“I received training from the Brooke on feeding, wound prevention and first aid," Zewdie says. "They also gave me seeds and tools to harvest oats and fodder for my donkey. Bullit used to regularly be ill, but now she is strong and can take the local beer I produce to market.
"With the money I earn, I can buy fuel and food and I can even put money aside. I want to save enough money to move from my grass roofed hut to a house with an iron roof. Bullit is my strength in my old age, as she helps me feed my four young sons and my very old mother.”