Through the eyes of a donkey

Two brothers blinded by an improvised explosive device in Afghanistan, now rely on their donkey to be their eyes to guide them to work.

Afghanistan tradition prohibits women from working outside the home, so when their father was killed by a rocket, Moqim, 14, and Momin, 12 had to go to work to support their mother and younger sister.

The brothers run a small shop selling fruit, vegetables and cigarettes in the local market, three kilometres away.

But there’s no local transport between Dehsabz village in Kabul and the brothers’ shop, so they travel on the back of their donkey.

He acts as their eyes, guiding them to the shop early in the morning and returning them back home in the evening.

During the day the donkey continues working, delivering packages from the brothers’ shop to the village.

Dehsabz village is part of the Brooke’s expansion programme for 2012 and at the moment, a Brooke trained paravet is providing services to animal owners.

The Brooke has advised them to give the donkey more rest breaks during the day and not to overload the donkey.

More about the Brooke's work in Afghanistan