The Brooke - Before and After in Limuru, Kenya

Before – Limuru’s broken donkeys

Limuru is a traditional farming area in Kenya, home to around 8,000 donkeys carrying out work such as hauling carts and carrying goods and people.

Before the Brooke began working in the area, Limuru’s donkeys suffered greatly due to:

• Cruel myths poisoning people’s attitudes
• Beatings
• Lack of food and water
• Over-loading
• Gruelling work without rest

After – the Brooke’s approach

In 2006 a Brooke team began working in the area. To try and make sure that Limuru’s donkeys have an ‘after’ they:

• Carried out clinical rounds
• Handled emergencies
• Formed community groups
• Organised school donkey care clubs
• Treated suffering animals
• Ran ‘sensitisation sessions’ to break down myths
• Ran ‘best kept donkey’ contests to show owners how a healthy donkey could increase income

Mukui’s story

Mukui after treatment from the Brooke

Mukui, a cart donkey working in Limuru, was in a terrible state when Brooke vets reached him. Like many of Limuru’s donkeys, Mukui had been poorly fed and watered for weeks, yet was still hauling heavy loads to market in searing heat.

When the Brooke team reached Mukui local animal owners thought nothing could return him to health. However, after proper veterinary treatment and food and water Mukui was soon back to full health and able to work again.

Mukui’s owner was also given valuable training on how to look after his donkey properly and keep him well fed and watered. He has now joined a local community donkey group so he, along with his neighbours can benefit further from Brooke advice and expertise, which will help promote better welfare and ensure that all Limuru’s donkeys have an ‘after’ like Mukui.

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Before and After in Limuru, Kenya - Mukui's Story