The Brooke News
Brooke’s
expansion into new brick kilns set to benefit more working animals
International
animal welfare organisation, the Brooke, is expanding its work into 117 new
brick kilns in India
In
total the Brooke will deliver veterinary and community awareness programmes in
almost 1000 brick kilns across India this year, benefiting 45,000 working
horses and mules in need.
“Working
conditions in the brick kilns are harsh,” said Dorcas Pratt, Brooke’s
Director of International Development. “There are currently 50,000 brick
kilns in India with more than 5,000 found in Uttar Pradesh alone, so demand for
the Brooke’s services is high. We’ve expanded our programme in Utter Pradesh to
reach more animals, which is a very positive step.”
The
Brooke offers advice on disease and prevention, as well as providing emergency
vet treatment and vaccinations. It is also creating equine welfare groups,
which encourage owners to contribute to a joint savings account for use in
emergencies.
Owners also have access
to first aid kits.
India
is the second largest brick producer in the world, with an output of 140
billion bricks annually. The process is largely manual and there is little or
no technology involved.
Extreme
temperatures, lack of shade, difficult terrain and overloading can cause suffering
for horses, donkeys and mules. Disease and injuries are common. Local services
such as veterinary care, farriery, saddlery and cart repairing are often
difficult for poor communities to access.
“To
ensure lasting change, the Brooke’s approach involves working closely with
animal owners, their communities and local service providers to address the root causes of problems,
as well as find affordable solutions. It’s the simple
things that make all the difference, for example our work with cart makers has
improved balance and stability of carts, which improves conditions for working
animals.” adds Dorcas Pratt.
The
Brooke provides treatment, training and community programmes across Africa,
Asia and Latin America to improve the welfare of working horses, donkeys and
mules and their owners.
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Animal welfare charity celebrates International
Women’s Day
Leading animal welfare charity, The Brooke,
celebrates the achievements of women working with horses and donkeys across Asia and Africa, marking International Women’s Day (8 March).
“My father took
out loans for my elder sister’s dowry - so she could be married into a good
family,” says Nasheema, 18, who works in a brick kiln with her horse Raju.
“Now I must work to repay this.
It’s my dream to earn enough money for my future, so that my father doesn’t
have to borrow money from anyone again,” she added.
Dowry payments have been illegal in India since 1961 but are still practised
in some communities.
Working horses, donkeys and mules play a significant
role in helping to empower women.
“They help women fetch water and gather firewood –
allowing them more time and opportunity to earn money and be involved in
community activities,” says Dorcas Pratt, Director of International
Development.
The Brooke is dedicated to improving the lives of
working animals, through direct veterinary treatment and community training
programmes, bringing together animal owners, women and children, to improve
their knowledge of effective care and treatment.
Brooke Pakistan has pioneered a training project
based on a model by the United Nations Development Programme, to educate women
in key equine management and disease prevention, to enhance income and
employment opportunities.
To date, Brooke Pakistan has trained 80 women from
the Punjab districts of Tek Singh and Narowal, with some women going on to
practice and earn an income after learning about wound management and
de-worming. “Enhancing opportunities for women through training
and education and providing them with the positive skills and confidence needed
to support their lives and earn an income, is the key to lifting them out of
poverty,” adds Dorcas Pratt.
The Brooke’s goal is to increase the number of
working animals we help to two million a year by 2016.
For more information about The Brooke and how to get involved visit
