Transport has always been a huge problem for the Ju|’hoansi villagers. Only a few people in Tsumkwe own cars. They are expensive to buy and costly to run, so hiring them is also costly. The 8 hour walk from the village, under the Kalahari sun, is only undertaken in desperate circumstances and passing vehicles that might pick up a hitchhiker are rare. The main reasons transport is needed are:

• Visits to the Tsumkwe clinic. Especially in emergencies or for women in labour.

• Travel to the devil’s claw harvesting grounds. They are not within walking distance when carrying cook pots, jerry cans of water and large sacks of devil’s claw tubers.

• Travel to Grootfontein. This is the nearest administrative centre (for the courts, documents, passports and the main hospital) and it’s a 4 hour drive by car. The cost of a taxi is weeks of income.

• Harvesting grasses. For thatching hut roofs. Each hut takes about 5 to 6 cart loads.

These are just a few examples.

One of the Foundation’s main aims is to help the Ju|’hoansi to be economically independent. Donkey ‘cars’ or ‘carts’ are a very green solution. The cars are low maintenance and easily fixed and serviced. The donkeys are well-adapted to eating the local grasses. They quickly adapt to village life, living free-range during the day eating grasses near the village and return of their own accord in the evening to the safety of the village hearth.

Our investment has already increased as one of the donkeys we purchased was pregnant and gave birth to a very healthy foal!

Each donkey cart costs just around £950.00 If you would like to donate a donkey car to one of the villages please do get in touch or click the ‘Donate’ button above! A donkey is around £40.00