Wow - if you like donkeys and the work of The Donkey Sanctuary, you are going to love the following video and photo gallery which take you on a wonderful journey to the world off Lamu, a small island of Kenya where we are helping donkeys.
The expert film and images have been taken and collaborated by media journalist Garth Haley, who got in touch with our PR Office earlier in the year.
He has very generously allowed us to use the images and film to promote our good work for free. Thank you so much Garth.
I asked him to jot down a few words about his trip. I hope you enjoy his memento, amazing imagery and insightful film...
"I came across the story of the Lamu Donkey Sanctuary when I was researching places to visit on a trip around Kenya and Uganda. I was fascinated by the idea that an island with a population of more than 20,000 people could survive with no modern transport - instead the whole island's economy relies on the humble donkey. The donkeys are used for transport, agriculture, and carrying all manner of goods from vegetables to bags of cement. Virtually every family on the island has at least one donkey and many businesses could not get by without them.
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The island itself is a bit of a backpacker's destination and can only be reached by ferry after a long and bumpy bus journey (although a neighbouring island has an airstrip), but that adds to its charm. Approaching the historic waterfront from the water is quite a memorable experience. The main town on the island, also called Lamu, is a maze of narrow, winding cobbled streets. Occasionally you have to throw yourself out of the way as the donkeys come trotting past at speed! The atmosphere is very laid back and peaceful, it's largely a Muslim population on the island so there are no bars the town gets very quiet after dark.
The Lamu Donkey Sanctuary sits on the waterfront near the north end of the town. I spent two days there with Abdalla and his staff, who gave me an overview of the Sanctuary, its history and their work, as well a giving me an introduction to the rest of the island.
I also went to a local school to see one of the Sanctuary staff talk to the children about animal welfare, with the class taking place outside in the shade under the branches of a large tree.
The Sanctuary hopes that by educating young children the message will spread to their parents and family members.
The donkeys at the Sanctuary and around the island seemed to be in very good condition, certainly better than I was expecting. I would put this down to the work of the Sanctuary which for 25 years has been helping the donkeys of Lamu and I hope they can continue their work for many more years to come." by Garth Haley.
How you can help
We provide treatments to almost all of the working donkeys on Lamu and the surrounding islands. Any donation, no matter how small, really will help us to continue our worthwhile work here. 12p is all it costs to provide a donkey with a dose of wormer paste which helps prevent the donkey from becoming malnourished.
Related articles
Lamu is a small island off the mainland of Kenya where time has stood still. Until recently donkeys were the only form of transport. There are an estimated 2,200 donkeys on the island which are used in agriculture but also in carrying household provisions and building materials.
Dr Svendsen, founder of The Donkey Sanctuary, first visited Lamu in 1985 whilst on holiday. Worried by the poor condition of the working donkeys, regular treatment clinics including a six monthly worming programme have been established
Our Sanctuary in Lamu first opened its doors in July 1987. Since that day the health and condition of the donkeys has improved considerably and the primitive practices of bleeding a donkey or burning them with hot irons to treat illness is thankfully being reduced.
The Sanctuary provides treatment to all donkeys free of charge. The twice-yearly de-worming programme on Lamu and the surrounding islands has contributed immensely to the better health of the donkeys. A marked improvement in donkey care has been seen since the annual competition for the best condition donkey was started.
Bylaw victory for donkeys in Lamu
From today (1 June 2011), one of the main causes of premature death amongst donkeys in Lamu will be eliminated after successful lobbying by international animal welfare charity The Donkey Sanctuary and the Lamu Safi Environmental Group results in a ban on plastic bags on this World Heritage Status island.
A unique insight to our work in Lamu, Kenya
Wow - if you like donkeys and the work of The Donkey Sanctuary, you are going to love the following video and photo gallery which take you on a wonderful journey to the world off Lamu, a small island of Kenya where we are helping donkeys.
Donkey Sanctuary award Best in Show at Lamu's donkey competition
.thumbnail.jpg "Lamu Donkey Competition April 2010")
In April, staff from the Sidmouth-based Donkey Sanctuary worked with project leaders at the Lamu Sanctuary to hold a competition to find the best donkeys owners in Lamu, an island near mainland Kenya.
Day of the Donkey celebrated
The Sidmouth-based Donkey Sanctuary celebrated International Day of the Donkey on Saturday 8th May by talking to 350 of its supporters taking part in this year’s Donkey Week about the overseas aspect of its work.
Saving a donkey's life
This toddler lives on Lamu, an island off the mainland of Kenya, where we have a small, busy clinic where working donkeys and orphaned foals are helped by our caring staff.
There is something very appealing about Lamu that the people there respect the darkness as a time for silence. Perhaps they respect silence and that is why the Donkey is so special to them as well. Silence is so very instructive. I have such great appreciation for the island of Lamu, how the inhabitants live and most especially how they treat their Donkeys. Even more, The Sanctuary's work and support is invaluable there. I believe if one could visit Lamu one would experience what Thoreau mused about when he said, "This is what I go out to seek. It is as if I always met in those places some grand, serene, immortal, infinitely encouraging, though invisible, companion, and walked with him. There at last my nerves are steadied, my senses and my mind do their office." That ineffable companion would surely be the Donkey! A remarkable place, Lamu, and many thanks Dawn for letting us linger there awhile.
Walk in Beauty
Go in Grace
Jenny B.
What a wonderful and informative film; well made and to the point.
It is so wonderful to see exactly where the money goes and the difference it makes.
Lamu and its people are very lucky to have their own Sanctuary on its doorstep funded generously by the Sanctuary supporters.
Keep up the good work!