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Compassion in Action
Our vision is a Zambia where working donkeys are free from suffering, treated with compassion, and truly valued by the people who rely on them.
Who we are!
Zambezi Working Donkey Project (ZWDP) is a non-profit organisation registered in both Zambia and the UK. Since 2019, ZWDP has worked alongside communities to improve donkey welfare through practical training, better-fitting harnesses, and veterinary care. We operate in the rural communities surrounding Livingstone, Zambia, and beyond. Each outreach is rooted in the vital bond between the owners and their working animals.
THE CONTEXT
Healthy Donkeys,
Thriving Families
Working animals are central to daily life in many low-income countries. Donkeys support families and communities by providing the mobility needed for farming and for transporting goods to market.
Yet the harsh reality for many of these hard-working animals is one of suffering, as they face a double burden:
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the physical loads they carry
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the indirect weight of poverty, conflict, climate shocks, and scarce access to services
Poverty and a lack of awareness about donkey care often result in neglect and injury.
When a donkey is healthy and well cared for, families save time, earn more, and children are more likely to stay in school.
Our Community
Based in Livingstone, Zambia, ZWDP works across Southern and Western Province, delivering support directly to rural communities where working donkeys are essential to everyday life and livelihoods.
In 2025, we carried out our first donkey welfare assessments in Western Province, where we identified a significant need for donkey welfare services. As part of our strategic growth, 2026 marks the beginning of our expansion into Western Province, enabling us to support even more communities and the working donkeys they depend on.
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UN Sustainable Development Goals
Our Work in Action
