Happy Donkeys for Resilient Families

The project helps donkey-owning families build practical knowledge and skills to improve the health and welfare of these working animals. Farmers and donkey keepers take part in sensitisation and training on the five domains of animal welfare, learning about appropriate handling, feeding, harnessing, workload and other aspects of everyday donkey care. Donkey clinics provide communities with access to animal health support, while animal health service providers and agro-dealers receive mentorship to strengthen the quality of services available locally.

Local donkey welfare champions also play an important role in sharing knowledge with other farmers, helping good practices spread through the community. Fodder production is promoted so families can provide donkeys with more reliable sources of nutritious feed, including through the distribution and propagation of Siambasa grass.

Climate pressures make it increasingly important for families to carefully manage the natural resources they rely on. This project supports households to adopt agroecology approaches that strengthen their resilience while improving access to resources for their animals.

Farmers learn about water conservation, helping households make better use of available water throughout the year and to build resilience to longer dry seasons. The project also promotes agroecological technologies and fodder production, including Siambasa grass, so families can grow more of the feed they need rather than relying entirely on what is available naturally.

The project makes sure that women, young people and people with disabilities have equal opportunities to participate in project activities and benefit now, and in the future, from the changes taking place in their communities.

Women are supported to strengthen their involvement in economic activities, including the production of African leafy vegetables and food security crops, while improved access to finance creates further opportunities to invest and earn.

Families are supported to strengthen their financial resilience so they are better able to meet household needs and invest in their livelihoods. Savings and loan groups provide a practical way for community members to build financial security together and access funds when they need them.

Through Village Savings and Loan Associations (VSLAs), participants develop the confidence and skills to save regularly and access small loans for household needs or income-generating activities. Enterprise development activities help families explore opportunities that can diversify their sources of income, reducing reliance on a single livelihood activity.

The project recognises that improving donkey welfare requires change beyond individual households. It therefore strengthens the local systems and services that support donkey-owning communities, while encouraging greater recognition of donkeys in wider development and planning.

Animal health service providers and agro-dealers receive mentorship to build their knowledge and improve the quality of advice and services available to donkey owners. Community-based champions and Peer Farmer Trainers also help connect families with information and support, creating a network of local knowledge that can continue to benefit communities.