Sitting here on my porch, at the Ghion Hotel, Bahirdar, in Ethiopia. I'm trying to write a blog, but struggling. I'm sitting in one of the most beautiful places I've ever been to, from here I can see flower filled gardens, the thatched round house that's a bar, and, beyond, the waters of Lake Tana.
Ethiopia
We have been working in Ethiopia since 1986 when we forged a working partnership with the University of Addis Ababa's Faculty of Veterinary Medicine in Debre Zeit, situated 30km south of Addis Ababa.
We have a busy donkey hospital to provide more extensive treatment to sick donkeys and mules. It is equipped with an operating theatre, laboratory and recovery stables. Approximately 250 donkeys are admitted each year. The hospital is also used as a training centre for donkey owners, vets and farriers.
Our hospital holds clinics twice a week and it is not unusual for our teams to see up to 1,000 donkeys in one day. Owners are also able to bring their donkeys in for emergency treatment at any time.
Two mobile clinics operate in a 150km radius of Debre Zeit, visiting donkeys and owners too far away to visit the hospital.
In the north of Ethiopia, two mobile clinics operate in a 100km radius of Bahir Dar (Amhara) and Mekele (Tigray). In the south, our most recently established mobile clinic operates in a 100km radius of the Southern Nations, Nationalities and Peoples Region.
In the heart of Merkato Market, Addis Ababa, a new stationary clinic is providing a source of veterinary aid to some of the hardest working equines in the country. It is also being used as a training centre for their owners.
A massive step in donkey welfare
By Chris Garrett - Posted 01/02/10
Tagged: Ethiopia
"Life is like a toilet roll, the nearer the end you get, the faster it goes" I read that somewhere just recently, and it appears to have lodged in my brain, now I hope I've still got a fair bit of roll left, at least a third or so, but it's so true, time flies past now, and I can't believe that I haven't done a blog since last august!
Children and donkeys carry a heavy burden
By Dawn Vincent - Posted 28/01/10
As a parent and having visited our projects in Egypt and Ethiopia, I realise the lifestyle our children lead in the UK is somewhat different to those led by children in developing countries, particularly when it comes to household chores and levels of responsibility.
Working donkeys overseas
By Jenifer Tucker - Posted 15/07/09
In the Debre Zeit area of Ethiopia there are a staggering 76,000 working donkeys. Many suffer harness wounds caused through ill-fitting tack and excessive loads.
Pack saddle making
By Chris Garrett - Posted 15/06/09
Tagged: Ethiopia
I reckon that one of the most common phrases in our language must involve the word 'tea'. "Shall I put the kettle on?", "Fancy a cuppa?", "Make a brew" we say, and do it without much thought really, some of us continually throughout the day.
