noun [im-pakt]; verb [im-pakt]
influence; effect: the impact of Brooke USA on the lives of working horses, donkeys and mules, and the people they serve.
Brooke USA knows that the true measure of its effectiveness is how well it performs its mission. When looking at impact, there are two critical buckets to consider: the what and the how.
What is Brooke USA trying to change in the world?
How is Brooke USA doing it?
To understand the impact of our work, see one donor’s story below.
Reflections
Through the looking glass: a trip to Nairobi, Kenya
When longtime Brooke USA supporter Ligeia Polidora traveled to Nairobi, Kenya, she expected to learn more about the organization she had generously supported for years. What she experienced instead was a deeply moving look at the lives of working donkeys and the young people whose livelihoods depend on them. During her visit with the Brooke East Africa team, Ligeia met groups of donkey cart drivers who gather each day hoping to be hired to transport goods through the busy streets of Nairobi. Many of these young men and women come from extremely difficult backgrounds, but through Brooke-supported programs and partnerships with local organizations, they are gaining access to education, life-skills training, and practical knowledge about proper animal care.
One of the most powerful moments of Ligeia’s visit came as several young donkey owners shared their personal stories — candidly describing past struggles with poverty, addiction, and mistreatment of their animals, but also speaking with pride about the transformation they experienced through their involvement with the program. Their stories illustrated the profound ripple effect of Brooke’s work: when working equines receive proper care, entire communities benefit.
Ligeia also gained insight into the broader challenges facing working equines in Kenya, including the devastating impact of the donkey skin trade driven by demand for ejiao. For many families — particularly women in rural areas — donkeys are essential for transporting water, firewood, crops, and goods that sustain their households and livelihoods. Protecting these animals is therefore inseparable from protecting the economic security of vulnerable communities.
In her reflections, Ligeia shares how meeting the donkeys, their owners, and the dedicated Brooke East Africa team brought Brooke USA’s mission to life in a powerful way. Her story offers a heartfelt perspective on the importance of the work supporters make possible — and the hope that continued compassion and partnership can create a better future for both working equines and the people who rely on them.
