Brooke USA is proud of its support of Brooke’s work in East Africa
As part of her state visit to Kenya, Her Majesty Queen Camilla visited Brooke East Africa’s program, to learn how the organization is promoting equine welfare in the region.
In Kenya, working donkeys are primarily relied upon to transport water, firewood, farm produce, and commercial goods. They also work in extractive industries in extremely harsh conditions. Unfortunately, many of these animals are affected by poor welfare. Brooke East Africa was set up in 2013 to positively impact vulnerable equines and their communities, and Brooke USA has been funding work in the region since 2016, thanks to donors based across the United States.
During her visit, the Queen learned about Brooke East Africa’s work with farriers and harness makers to ensure better welfare for animals. Her Majesty was also introduced to a Donkey Care Club, where local children are taught how to look after their donkeys.
Queen Camilla, who has been President of Brooke: Action for Working Horses & Donkeys (Brooke) since 2006, is a strong supporter of equine welfare and has traveled the world to see Brooke’s work in places such as Egypt, Pakistan, and India.
Chief Executive of Brooke, Chris Wainwright, said: “We are honored to have Her Majesty visit Brooke’s work in Kenya. Her love and passion for equines is well known, and her commitment to promoting the welfare of working equids is an inspiration for everyone in the Brooke family, wherever they work in the world. Such visits help us to showcase the immense contribution that working horses, donkeys and mules make to some of the poorest communities in the world.”
Brooke operates in over ten countries, helping to support over 100 million working horses, donkeys and mules who support the lives of 600 million people. A portion of this work is made possible thanks to Brooke USA supporters, whose fundraising efforts ensure working animals have a life worth living.
Emily Dulin, Chief Executive Officer of Brooke USA, dittoed Wainwright’s comments, stating that “Brooke USA is pleased to serve as a sister organization to Brooke: Action for Working Horses & Donkeys and is proud of the impact donations from the United States are having on improving the welfare of equines and the livelihoods of people in vulnerable communities across the world. Her Majesty Queen Camilla’s visit to Brooke East Africa reinforces our commitment to our shared organizational missions – one where working equines are free from suffering.”
The royal visit to Kenya began on 31 October lasting until 3 November, as Kenya celebrates 60 years of independence and its strong relationship with the UK.
About Brooke USA Foundation (Brooke USA): The mission of Brooke USA is to significantly improve the health, welfare and productivity of working horses, donkeys and mules and the people who depend on them for survival worldwide. We are committed to sustainable economic development by reducing poverty, increasing food security, ensuring access to water, providing a means to education, and raising basic standards of living through improved equine health and welfare. We accomplish this by raising funds and responsibly directing them to the areas of greatest need.
Brooke USA strives to alleviate the suffering and vulnerability of developing communities by funding and s implementing programs that improve the quality of life and health of working equines and thereby positively impacting their economic sustainability, protecting the planet, ensuring gender equality, and guaranteeing life on land resilience. We want to see healthy, happy people and equines that work in partnership to achieve sustainable local economies.
Photos are available upon request. Please email kendall.bierer@brookeusa.org.
For more information, contact:
Emily Dulin
305-505-6170
Emily.Dulin@BrookeUSA.org
Kendall Bierer
561-309-9873
Kendall.Bierer@BrookeUSA.or