The Cost of Gold
Help Save Orphan Foal Maisha and Tanzania’s Working Donkeys
In the gold-rich region of Geita, Tanzania, hundreds of donkeys are being pushed beyond their limits.
They’re forced to haul timber and heavy loads from small local gold mines that can’t afford machinery. Instead of rest, these donkeys are driven until their bodies give out from injury, disease, or pure exhaustion.
Maisha’s story says it all.
Born into a life of suffering, Maisha was just seven days old when her mother died from tetanus, after fracturing her leg working in the mines. With only traditional medicine applied, her mother’s condition worsened and she passed shortly after giving birth.
Maisha is now being cared for by our on-ground partner, Lake Zone Animal Welfare Organisation (LAZAWO) — but she needs long-term support to survive.
Right now, Animal Aid Abroad is supporting a dedicated local group, the Lake Zone Animal Welfare Organisation (LAZAWO). This incredible team of vets and para-vets runs mobile clinics to treat donkeys and educate their owners.
In just two clinics, nearly 1,000 donkeys were treated.
But we need your help to do more.
We’re raising funds to:
Hire a full-time vet and para-vet in Geita
Provide critical medicines: vaccinations, pain relief, de-wormers
Train owners in kind, effective care and proper harness-making
Fund a vehicle to rescue donkeys from mines and take them to safety
Make a Donation
During May and June, we’ve set ourselves a target to fund critical veterinary care, outreach services and essential equipment.
We’ll keep you updated via AAA socials and our newsletter on how much has been raised, the progress being made and how your donations are changing lives.
Your donation, no matter how small, will help change the story for donkeys like Maisha and hundreds more in Tanzania.
How much would you like to donate? Select an amount below or choose your own custom amount.
Bahati, a street donkey, developed a painful tumour after being attacked with a knife for eating maize. The mass was repeatedly burned with hot iron and when that failed, he was cast out to survive alone.
Masanyiwa, an elderly blind donkey, was abandoned to die after she could no longer work. Her owner simply stopped feeding her.
Mateso was injured by poor harnessing and overwork. Though our team treated him, he was back to work and later developed gangrene.
Max survived a car accident with an open bone wound. He received vet care and a rest agreement was made with his owner - yet he was spotted carrying timber the very next day.
The sad truth is: if donkeys are treated on-site, they’re usually back to work the next day — even with open wounds.
This is our chance to break the cycle.
Your donation - no matter how small - will help change the story for donkeys like Maisha, Masanyiwa, Bahati, Mateso, Max, and hundreds more.
Make a Donation
During May and June, we’ve set ourselves a target to fund critical veterinary care, outreach services and essential equipment.
We’ll keep you updated via AAA socials and our newsletter on how much has been raised, the progress being made and how your donations are changing lives.
Your donation, no matter how small, will help change the story for donkeys like Maisha and hundreds more in Tanzania.
How much would you like to donate? Select an amount below or choose your own custom amount.