DCA in Afghanistan

Since 2008 Brooke has worked in partnership with DCA Livestock Programs to improve the lives of equines and their owners

Donkeys working at a brick kiln in Afghanistan

Where DCA Works

DCA's Brooke project currently works in five provinces in Afghanistan: Kabul, Bamyan, Balkh, Samangan and Nangarhar,

The project seeks to create lasting equine welfare improvements to support the livelihoods of poor equine owners/users. This is being achieved through enhancing skills and compassion at community levels, improving the quality and sustainability of vet/welfare services supply systems and impact upon local policies in Afghanistan.

DCA trains and mentors Community Engagement Workers - local staff to work in the community - on equine welfare. This is a sustainable method of creating change as they often remain in these communities as local consultants after the project ends.

working with children

One of the biggest strengths of the Afghanistan programme is DCA's work with children - an important group because culturally they are able to interact with both male and female equine owners and so can go into the homes of others in their community to assess the welfare of equines and report back to their elders during village group meetings. Many of these children handle animals or grow up to be in charge of them, and the attitudes they adopt will stay with them into adulthood.

DCA has set up child volunteer groups and printed children's books in conjunction with role-playing exercises to educate children in good equine welfare practice.

Village children receiving training in animal welfare and compassion

Behavioural change amongst children is a sustainable way of improving equine welfare. Two of the volunteer children, who are now adults, are currently leading the adult welfare groups in their villages.

Haroon Nessar, Project Manager

WORKING WITH TRADITION

DCA also works with traditional and religious leaders who play a key role in shaping public opinion in Afghanistan.

Their work with these influencers aims to build understanding of the importance of compassion and good practice in equine welfare so they can spread positive animal welfare messages to the public through talks and speeches at mosques.