Professional treatment for Iasfar in Mauritania keeps her community moving.
Iasfar the donkey works on the sandy streets of Nouakchott, Mauritania, transporting water and construction materials. Even in the 40 degree heat of summer, Iasfar’s 61-year-old owner Yehmi works 12 hours per day – the mornings with Iasfar, and the afternoons with his other donkey – to earn an income to support his young family.
Yehmi was aware that Iasfar – meaning ‘yellow’ – had some harness wounds that were causing her discomfort, so he asked around to find out when the SPANA vets were visiting his neighbourhood.
The vets had previously treated Yehmi’s other donkey, and he was impressed with their help and grateful for the free service, which he couldn’t have afforded otherwise.
The vets arrived later that morning, and Dr Wane set about inspecting Iasfar’s harness wounds, noticing that one wound had started to become infected. As Yehmi’s intrigued children looked on, Dr Wane administered anti-inflammatory and antibiotic injections to reduce the swelling and fight the infection.
Dr Wane explained: ‘Previously, when we came to this district, we often saw cases caused by road accidents but fortunately that is decreasing. Today we have just been treating wounds caused by harnesses that are very cheap and makeshift. I instructed Yehmi how to improve his harness to prevent any more wounds.’
Yehmi said, ‘Iasfar works hard for us and she is getting older, so this help is very valuable.’ He returned home to give Iasfar a rest and make adjustments to her harness. Now, Iasfar can work more comfortably and safely, helping Yehmi to provide for his family.
