Charity helps Mexicans to tend donkeys

DEVON-based charity The Donkey Sanctuary is helping children in Mexico learn how to care for the animals they rely on to carry their everyday water supply.

The youngsters have enjoyed regular puppet shows, staged by the charity, aimed at teaching the basic rules of donkey welfare.

Amanda Gordon, spokesman for the Sidmouth-based charity, has just returned from the country. She said: “We have started to hold regular puppet shows in the village which teach children the basics of donkey welfare – the shows are being extremely well received.

“The children are so captivated and at the end can tell our vets the donkeys' most basic needs. It is a real success story.”

With Mexico's school holidays due to start this week, thousands of children will spend the next few weeks collecting everyday water for their families, according to the sanctuary.

It is common practice in the community of Xochimilco, south of Mexico City, that children take on the chore of collecting water from the village's only water tank during the school holidays.

They use the water for drinking and washing and rely on the donkeys to carry the heavy loads home.

Thirteen-year-old Raul travels about 1km to collect water from the water-point with his two donkeys.

He said: “I'm really thankful that The Donkey Sanctuary is here to help me with my family's two donkeys.

“They are given vitamins to keep them fit and healthy and the team also treats my donkeys for worms every three months.

“If they are ill, I can bring them here for free treatment – it is really important they can continue to carry the water for us. Otherwise, we would have to carry the water ourselves and it would be very difficult to do.”

Ms Gordon said: “Our mobile teams regularly visit the area and really are a lifeline to many of the children and families.

“I was amazed at how clever the donkeys were. Once the containers had been filled and loaded back on the donkeys, the kids just tapped them and off they went home!”

The Donkey Sanctuary is based in Mexico at the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science of the National Autonomous University.

It has been working in Mexico City and the surrounding areas since 1984, providing free veterinary treatments for the animals.

It also works in partnership with World Horse Welfare and treats more than 47,000 of these working animals each year.

For more details, visit www.thedonkeysanctuary.org. uk