Imagine having something that is your lifeline for food, water, wood, travel and friendship, knowing that without that special something, your life would be beyond difficult - a life of poverty, illness, pain and suffering. Imagine your special something was taken away from you in the dead of night, and that the chances of you ever seeing it again, were next to nil. Imagine you found your special something after days of looking and searching every possibility, and you smile - a smile that is sparse in this barren, unforgiving desert. Imagine you are Jose and that your special something is Tiberio, your birthday present and friend, a donkey.

Jose is a 13 year old school boy from Lic Adolfo López Mateos Elementary School, Cuauhtemoc, Mexico. He was given Tiberio as a birthday present from his family when he was 11. They had saved most of their money to buy him a donkey so he could travel to school and study hard in order to become a vet when he is older. In Mexico the donkey is usually classified as the ‘poor man’s horse’, but to Jose, Tiberio means everything.

Jose was involved in education days set up by The Donkey Sanctuary where he learnt everything he needed to keep his donkey happy and content. He learnt skills such as making sure the rope around Tiberio’s neck is not too tight, as well as making sure he is always well fed and watered. This would seem obvious to people in countries such as Britain who take education for granted, yet for Jose, it is a lifeline that keeps him and his family alive and well even throughout the dry months.

The Donkey Sanctuary works in Mexico in order to provide welfare to the donkeys as well as educating the owners. In Mexico City donkeys, mules and horses are used daily to haul carts piled high with rubbish to the dumps. Many thousands of equines also pass through San Bernabe Market, one of the most significant livestock markets in the country; the condition of many of these animals is poor.

Tiberio is more then just a lifeline to Jose; he is a friend, and a soul mate. He grooms him for pleasure, hugs him, plays with him, and doesn’t let him get wet by sheltering him when the rain comes. They’re always playing together and the mother of the donkey now lives with the family. Thanks to your donations and support Tiberio is one very happy donkey.