I’m writing to share an update on our vital work in Egypt – supporting the hardworking donkeys and mules of the brick kilns.
In just two years, since we started our work in El Saf, we’ve seen remarkable improvements in animal welfare across the kilns. This is all thanks to your generosity.
Our team’s tireless efforts are making a real difference – from treating injuries to educating owners on better care, the change has been truly heartening.
This progress simply wouldn’t be possible without your continued support. Thank you, from all of us – and from the donkeys too.
Kindest regards, Wendy, Safe Haven UK Office
Egypt Update
When we first started our work in 2023, it was rare to see a donkey in the brick kilns without wounds. Most were suffering from injuries caused by poorly fitting harnesses, overwork, and lack of rest.
Wounds were once common on the donkeys we treat in the brick kilns - caused by poor harnessing and other injuries.
But today, thanks to our two mobile vet teams and our programme of education for donkey handlers, the situation has dramatically improved. Now, a high percentage of donkeys are working without wounds – a sign of real progress and improved welfare.
We are now seeing more donkeys with good body conditions and less wounds.
To help reduce harness-related wounds in the kilns, Dr Shaaban has introduced a qualified harness maker to the donkey owners there. The harness-maker is now working in the area, providing well-fitted, humane harnesses that are making a big difference to the comfort and wellbeing of the donkeys.
Dr Shaaban sits with the harness-maker recently introduced to the El Saf kilns by our team. Proper harnessing is key to reducing wounds and injuries - we're already seeing an improvement since their introduction.
Thanks to the improvements we’ve seen in the kilns, our team has been able to extend support to surrounding communities too. Recently, we received an emergency call from a donkey owner in a nearby village. His young donkey was suffering from severe lameness, with swelling from above the knee down to the elbow.
With better conditions in the kilns, our vet teams are able to work in the local communities too - helping donkeys like this one.
The owner told us the donkey had been hit in a car accident. Because Dr Shaaban's team were already working in the area, they were able to respond quickly and give the young donkey the urgent care he needed.
Dr Shaaban was able to provide emergency care to the young donkey - here he is x-raying the injured animal.
Unfortunately, the donkey had suffered a fracture in his right radius. Our team acted quickly and, under general anaesthesia, applied a cast to support the healing process.
The donkey had a fractured leg - so was given a general anaesthetic to reset the bone and apply a cast.
While waiting for the donkey to recover from the anaesthetic, one of our team, Moharam, took the opportunity to speak with the owner about proper donkey feeding and care. It was a chance not only to treat an injury, but to share knowledge that will help prevent future problems.
While the donkey recovers from the anaesthetic, Maharam chats to the owner about donkey care.
The donkey responded well to his treatment and is now on the mend – and we’re hopeful he’ll make a full recovery soon.
We're now hopeful the donkey will make a full recovery, thanks to your support.
This is just a one example of the donkeys you are helping. Thanks to you, we can fund vet teams to help donkeys in need, providing free vet care.
Thank You
It's only with your help we are able to improve the lives of working donkeys, mules and horses in the West Bank, Gaza and Egypt. You're also helping to fund our hospital in Nablus in the West Bank and care for our rescue donkeys in Arrana, as well as our donkeys at our sanctuary in Israel.
Royal Patron: Her Royal Highness Princess Alexandra the Hon Lady Ogilvy KG GCVO Patrons: The Rt Hon the Earl of Stockton, The Rt Hon Ann Widdecombe DSG, Desmond Lynam OBE, Peter Egan, Kay Burley, Jan Leeming, and Anthony Head
Information regarding donations at the Bottoms of the article
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His body tired of the work and neglect , and would have been easily prevented by regular deworming that we provide for free and better basic care.
Sadly too often they don’t come to us until it’s too late or almost too late….
New hope for working horses receiving treatment and care
Thankfully many owners are coming for checkups and deworming when we give them a free noseband or exchange their bits , they come for free things but they leave wiser and their horses with a vetcheck…
A sad case with unknown outcome:
This poor boy arrived recumbent, with a high temperature, severe kolitis ( diarrhea) , and severly dehydrated.
He’s now on his feet but we don’t know if he can survive.
His body tired of the work and neglect , and qas easily prevented by regular deworming that we provide for free and better basic care.
Sadly to often they don’t come to us until it’s too late or almost too late….
As I’m working at gks1 and receiving updates on him we fear I won’t even get to meet this sweet sole….
Thankfully many owners are coming for checkups and deworming as it’s when we give them a free noseband or exchange their bits , they come for free stuff but they leave wiser and their horses with a vetcheck…
A vet checking on one of the horses
We are committed to providing crucial assistance to sick and injured horses in Egypt, many of whom serve as tourist horses. We offer free expert vetcare with a 24 hr emergency service, and treatment for admitted patients and on outpatient basis to all horses in need, alleviating their suffering.
Operating on a shoestring budget, we rely on the generosity of donors like you to make a real difference in these horses’ lives. Your support enables us to provide first aid, veterinary care, and a glimmer of hope for a better future.
Explore our website to discover more about our mission, the horses we’ve helped, and how you can contribute to our cause. Every donation, no matter the size, brings us one step closer to giving these horses the care they urgently need. Thank you for joining us in making a tangible impact on their well-being.
Joke van der Post is een Nederlandse paraveterinair verpleegkundige uit Purmerend die in Egypte woont en zich inzet voor het redden en verzorgen van ezels. Ze runt daar een opvang en een dierenkliniek voor mishandelde en verwaarloosde paarden en ezels.
Doodsbedreigingen
Joke kwam recent in het nieuws nadat ze ingreep bij een mishandeling van een ezel. Sindsdien ontvangt zij dagelijks doodsbedreigingen van mannen en Egypte. Ondanks persoonlijke risico’s – waaronder een arrestatie en mogelijke gevangenisstraf – blijft ze zich vastberaden inzetten voor dierenwelzijn in een omgeving waar dat allesbehalve vanzelfsprekend is.
De opvang
Joke heeft 70 paarden en ezels in haar opvang en daarnaast behandelt haar team op drukke dagen 80 tot 100 dieren per dag in hun dierenkliniek.
Steun Joke
100% van jouw donatie gaat naar Joke zodat zij voor deze lieve dieren kan blijven zorgen.
Joke waardeert elke donatie. Als je haar echt blij wilt maken, overweeg dan een maandelijkse donatie — zo weet ze dat er ook de komende maanden geld is om voor haar dieren te blijven zorgen.
