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The countries
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Kenya
| Kenya has a population of 32.8 million with almost half the people earning less than $1 a day. Agriculture and floriculture are the main economies with over 80% of the population dependent on it for their livelihoods. These rural industries rely on donkeys for transport and power.
There are about 600,000 donkeys in Kenya, and the majority of them endure poor welfare. Unlike other countries, the donkeys look very healthy in Kenya. The poor donkey welfare is instead caused by the donkey owners' lack of understanding - for example, there is a widespread belief that donkeys don’t feel pain and that beating them will make them worker harder and faster. | | |  |
| Improving the welfare of these working donkeys calls for a behaviour and attitude change among animal owners and users. The Brooke has been working in partnership with KENDAT (Kenya Network for Dissemination of Agricultural Technologies) since 2001 to help achieve this change. By combining Brooke's animal welfare expertise and approach with KENDAT's local knowledge we have begun to improve the welfare of working donkeys.
In December 2005, the ‘Heshimu Punda’ (Respect the Donkey) programme was established to create a behaviour and attitude-changing culture that fosters basic principles of compassion and care. The project works with local communities to change their attitude to animals. This is currently being achieved through a number of methods, such as a radio programme which is broadcast to all areas of Kenya, donkey school clubs, community donkey welfare clubs and mobile vet teams providing veterinary care. Working in partnership with KENDAT and Practical Action, the Brooke reached 16,500 working donkeys last year. |
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