George Okoko, Project Facilitator for Ripple Effect’s Improved Equine Project 2018-2023.
In a remote village nestled amidst the rolling hills of far western Kenya, a once-forgotten community of donkeys found hope, care, and a new lease on life.
This is the story of how a small group of dedicated people, supported by Ripple Effect Kenya in partnership with Brooke East Africa, came together to transform the lives of these gentle creatures, setting an example for a whole community.
The plight of donkeys in Alum Village was dire. They were overworked and undernourished: their ribs stuck out, they hobbled on hooves that had never been trimmed, they had flyblown sores from ill-fitting harnesses and heavy loads. Their weary eyes reflected a lifetime of hardship with no veterinary care.
I was part of that first group that knew things had to change. We included animal health practitioners and Ripple Effect Peer Farmer Trainers, and in 2022 we united to form a unit of Animal Welfare Volunteers (AWVs) with the aim of creating sustainable and compassionate solutions for the donkeys.
The AWVs began by working with one of the established Working Groups in the village to educate people in their community about the essential role that donkeys play in their daily lives. These were not finite resources to be used and discarded: they were valuable partners in the betterment of all their lives.
The volunteers demonstrated humane handling and reasonable workloads, proper nutrition, and the importance of regular veterinary care.
They initiated an animal welfare savings “kitty” scheme, enabling the group to organize donkey clinics and to offer support to non-group members. They scaled up their sustainable agricultural practices and production of fodder, which boosted their income. Families that have more financial resources can take care of their livestock better: the burden for families as well as donkeys was lightened.
Our Ripple Effect Kenya Country Director Titus Sagala has been a vocal supporter of animal welfare reform – especially for donkeys.
Savings groups fund donkey healthcare
Two open clinics have been conducted so far, organized by the group and paid for by the money generated from the savings scheme. Thirty-two donkeys owned by members of the group, and another 48 donkeys owned by other people in the community got veterinary health checks, vaccinations and treatment for injuries.
The clinics have created support networks: Animal Health Practitioners and Peer Farmer Trainers set up groups to teach basic health care practices, empowering people to become caretakers of their donkeys and sharing this new learning with donkey owners not enrolled in the groups.
Starting the project during a pandemic
As months passed, the transformation was remarkable. The donkeys’ coats grew shinier and their eyes were brighter. This wasn’t just better food and healthcare: their stronger bonds with their human companions embodied a sense of trust and mutual respect.
This model for the task force’s success spread far and wide: the story of the donkeys became a beacon of hope for those striving to improve the lives of working animals. Sixteen groups in Homa Bay County have set up similar schemes, with 11 groups setting up animal welfare savings schemes.
Through dedication, education and compassion, the animal welfare volunteers transformed the once neglected community of donkeys into thriving, cherished members of their village. I believe their story serves as a testament to the power of collective action and the enduring capacity for positive change in the lives of animals and humans alike.
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