Just like many women residing in the rural areas, especially in Kitui county , a donkey is a very key domestic animal.
The beast of burden, has been bridging the gaps between water points where most of them are tens of kilometres away.
Mary Muli, is a widow and a mother of 5 says her three donkeys ‘replaced’ her husband matters provision.
“My dear left me over ten years ago when our children were very young,” recalled Mary.
Since then, she has been using donkeys to fend for her family and also raise money for school fees, among other needs.
“My three donkeys generate a thousand shillings daily,” she noted.
The 47 year old said she ferries sand, water, firewood, charcoal among other items using her three beasts of burdens for commercial purposes.
“My donkeys have been so close to my heart, they help me raise money that makes my family comfortable,” she added.
“I identify areas where there’s an ongoing construction and supply them with water, sand among other necessities, using my donkeys,” she added.
Mary also noted that she takes care of her three donkeys well by ensuring they sleep in a warm house, taking them for regular check ups at the vet, ensuring they get well hydrated and fed, giving them enough time to rest among other care measures.
“There’s an NGO dubbed Caritas ,Kitui, which has been educating us about the donkey welfare in an initiative dubbed , Mtunze punda daima.
This has helped so many women in ensuring their donkeys are well taken care of,” narrated the widow.She added that were it not for her donkeys, life would be so unbearable not forgetting that she has zero support system.




THE END///