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Mannar Donkey Welfare Report

A Mixed Bag – May 2022
⚠️ Warning: The following posts contain images that may be disturbing to some readers.

Medical Assistance for a Donkey Stronghold

Kalpitiya in Puttalam District is the only other area in Sri Lanka with a donkey population apart from Mannar. However, most veterinary training does not focus on equines. Those that do, have no experience of donkeys. Due to this, the DCEC was contacted by the owner of a prominent resort in Kalpitiya who realised that there was no assistance given to donkeys due to a lack of knowledge.

He requested the DCEC to educate their veteranians on donkey care and treatment, especially castration so that they could prevent unnecessary breeding. The training session was conducted by performing the surgery on Banjo, the senior most male donkey at the DCEC, as his mating days are far gone. The training was well received with a promise to follow suit back in Kalpitiya. 

One Saved, One Lost — Admission No. 347

Pathmanathan, a resident of Keeri Beach, spotted a new born foal that had a maggot infested wound in its naval. It seemed to be in extreme pain. Upon noticing the injury, Pathmanathan contacted the donkey clinic and the donkey rescue crew was dispatched. Both mom and foal were brought to the clinic. Only then did the staff notice that the adult donkey also had a deep cut in its rear.

After a thorough examination, Dr. Vincent informed us that the female donkey would need 25 stitches and that the foal would need close monitoring as its injuries were also severe. Our staff worked around the clock to ensure the best possible care for both donkeys. A mixed blessing eventuated. The mother made a full recovery, but the foal’s injuries were too serious, and unfortunately, we were unable to save its life.

A Genuinely Concerned Out-of-Towner — Admission No. 349
 
Nesan, an out of town construction worker noticed a limping donkey with a protruding bone on its hind leg. As he was not a resident of Mannar, he had no idea who to contact for help. Luckily, a fellow colleague of his was able to provide him with information that led him to the donkey clinic. On arrival, the rescue team noticed that Nesan was quite protective of the animal with his incessant questions. “Where will the donkey be taken?” “What treatment will you give it?” “Can I come and check up on the donkey?” It was only after receiving satisfactory answers that he, in a sense, allowed our staff to do their work, and also helped them load the donkey onto the truck. The donkey is currently receiving treatment twice a day and is recovering well.

Back In Sight — Admission No. 350

One morning, Donkey Welfare Officer, Ainkaran, on his way to get breakfast, was ambushed by a group of small boys from Puthukkudiyiruppu and eager to tell him that they had found an injured donkey. They said the donkey had a wounded eye, and thus kept stumbling and bumping into everything across the village.

Ainkaran promised the boys that the donkey would be given the best treatment. On his way back to the donkey clinic, Ainkaran was stopped again, this time by Najath, a regular informant of donkey injuries, who told of a similar case. With the help of Uzmaan, another welfare officer, the donkey was located and brought back to the DCEC. The eye wound was treated with the appropriate medicines and the donkey has regained partial sight. When fully recovered it will be released. 

The Great Fall — Admission No. 353

Fahim, from Erukkalampiddy informed the donkey clinic about a donkey who had fallen deep into an open sewer. Rescue staff Kathafi and Uzmaan were deployed. This turned out to be quite the mission as a proper strategy was needed to lift the donkey out of this narrow opening without causing injury. The plan was a daunting one. Kathafi descended into the filthy pit to secure the rope around the donkey’s body whilst Uzmaan and Fahim hauled the animal back up to safety. One hour later, the donkey was lifted to safety and sent on his way. Our staff then created a covering for the pit so that other animals would not face a similar fate.

Wedding Bells at the Donkey Clinic!

Faseeha, a previous employee of the donkey clinic’s merchandising enterprise invited us to her wedding! She comes from a very poor family in Puthukkudiyiruppu. Faseeha was employed at the DCEC for 1 year as part of our goal to uplift the living standard of our neighbours, especially women. She has 4 siblings, 3 of whom are girls. This places a lot of pressure on the family to provide a dowry when they marry. Her father is a palmyrah seed collector, a job that brings in a low wage.

Unfortunately, Faseeha had to stop working with us to take up the role of housekeeper after marriage. To ensure some income flowed into the family, Faseeha recommended her youngest sister, Farhana, take her place. After carrying out interviews, we decided to give Farhana a go. She didn’t disappoint us! DCEC and Bridging Lanka staff pooled a generous monetary gift to the newly wed, Faseeha and Afran. 

Mannar from Heaven

Johendran is a local farmer who ploughs the field right opposite the DCEC. He cultivates a variety of vegetables for sale to the Colombo markets. Unlike most businessmen, he doesn't look to profiteering at every turn. Instead he distributes the crop not deemed ‘Colombo-worthy’ to needy neighbours and our donkeys.

One such household is owned by DCEC staff member, Ainkaran, who has created a close bond with Johendran. Through this connection the DCEC receives left over crops for its donkeys. Currently as the cost of food, even food for donkeys, skyrockets, this is a wonderful opportunity to save very limited finances. For instance this month, Johendran provided us with bags of undersized eggplant, something that is thoroughly enjoyed by our donkeys!

Compassion has No Bounds

As Sri Lanka’s economy collapses, taking with it the ability for families to survive, Bridging Lanka’s directors in Australia hastily spearheaded an online crowdfunding campaign, ‘Stop Them Going Under’ to raise funds for the bare essentials. In one region, over 200 dry food ration parcels containing a range of items including large quantities of rice, dhal and flour plus tinned fish, soya meat, sugar and Samaposha were distributed to struggling families in 5 villages: Olaithoduwai, Sinnakarisal, Puthukkudiyiruppu, Thailankudiyiruppu and Bastianpuram.

The DCEC acted as a distribution point. The Grama Sevaka (village head) was responsible for identifying vulnerable families – women headed households, the unemployed and those families with disabled members. Their gratitude was palpable. We are very grateful for the scores of people in Australia who gave so generously.
Alhathir Shahul Hameed and Fathima Raseefa
Bridging Lanka, May 2022
 
In Australia, Bridging Lanka Ltd is a public benevolent institution (PBI) with charity status with the Australian Charities and Not for Profits Commission, and deductible gift recipient status and charity tax concession status with the Australian Taxation Office. All donations are tax deductible.
 
In Sri Lanka, Bridging Lanka (Guarantee) Limited is a registered not-for-profit company with the Registrar of Companies and a Voluntary Social Service Organisation with the National Secretariat of Non-Governmental Organisations.
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Kedron, QLD 4031              Mannar 41000
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 info@bridginglanka.org
https://bridginglanka.org/

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