As one fire is contained, another fire is starting to burn.
We can help humans and animals alike during this devastating disaster.
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Dr. Emily Putt, a veterinarian who helps rescue horses from fire zones, comforts a horse as a wildfire called the Kincade Fire burns in Healdsburg, Calif., Sunday, Oct. 27, 2019. AP/NOAH BERGER
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Humans and animals are facing unimaginable tragedies with the spread of horrific wildfires. In 2017 and 2018 the state experienced the deadliest and most destructive wildfires in its history. Fueled by drought, an unprecedented buildup of dry vegetation and extreme winds, the size and intensity of these wildfires caused the loss of more than 100 lives, destroyed thousands of homes and exposed millions of urban and rural Californians to unhealthy air.
Unfortunately, 2019 has been no different.
Hundreds of thousands of people are being forced out of their homes and are facing these dire conditions, and more than 26 million people from California to Arizona are under red flag warnings as firefighters deal with blazes already burning in California's wine country and the Los Angeles-area. With crews working hard to put out the fires, and families being forced to evacuate, it is up to us to help rescue organizations as they put their lives at risk to save the animals and equines from the inexhaustible flames at the front lines of the fires.
Today we are asking that you join Brooke USA as we raise $10,000 to save the lives of hundreds of equines.
The entire state of California is in a state of emergency as a result of the wildfires, which are currently being fed by historic winds. While many of the fires are currently contained, new ones are breaking out every day, fueled by gusts strong enough to turn semi-trucks over on the interstate and weather conditions that are unacceptable for the surrounding environment.
The blazes are spreading in fires located in both Northern and Southern California, and in all, the wildfires have already burned over 198,000 acres. As firefighters contain one fire, another one is close on their heels. In Sonoma and Napa counties, the Kincade Fire has
burned nearly 78,000 acres and forced more than 180,000 to evacuate
since erupting on October 23. The fire has reached 80 percent containment as of 7 a.m. Monday morning. The blaze has destroyed 374 structures, and damaged 60 others. More than 3,000 firefighters are battling the flames. As of Sunday morning, the Ranch Fire in Tehama County kindled and has already burned 550 acres with only 10 percent containment as of Monday morning. Evacuation warnings are in place.
Together we can provide assistance and relief to these terrified equines and the people who are working to save their lives from the California fires.
When tragedies happen, this is our time to help. I urge you to stand up with Brooke USA and help us meet our goal of $10,000 to help equines in need during this urgent disaster relief.
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Meet Kisima Tuyoto: Her Story
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Kisima Tuyoto is a 47-year-old Maasai widowed woman. She lives on a small homestead in the Maasai Mara, outside of Narok, Kenya. She has 9 children between the ages of 4 - 22 years old, whom she supports on her own, as her husband died last year. Her two donkeys help with the domestic chores, such as fetching water, and also allow her to earn a living by selling charcoal at the local market.
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A DAY IN THE LIFE
Every morning she wakes up at 4 a.m. to do the household chores and get her children ready for school. She then takes her two donkeys to collect the charcoal. She purchases four sacks of charcoal, which she loads onto her donkeys. Together, they then begin their two-hour walk to the market. Kisima sells the charcoal to local people who mainly use it for cooking, and while she is working, she buys her donkeys water and fodder to graze on. When she is finished, they begin their two-hour journey home.
Kisima earns approximately 2400 Kenyan Shillings (KSL) a day selling charcoal at the market, which is approximately $25. She relies completely on her donkeys to earn a living, without them, she would not be able to transport the charcoal to market: “The income I earn, I am earning from the donkeys.”
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Donkey Care
Kisima is the chairwoman of a local women’s only donkey welfare group.
The group was started 3 years ago and there are 12 members, who all own donkeys. They meet every Friday. Some of the activities they do include:
Training on animal husbandry, hoof care and feeding practices; Brooke East Africa and our partner Farming Systems Kenya visit the group to provide training.
Table banking; each week members contribute 500KSL and each week a share of the contributions are given to 1 member. This money will be used to help build houses, buy furniture, buy a new donkey and other large purchases. If someone is struggling they will use the group’s money to help each other with school fees, food, etc.
The group also buys bulk donkey supplements and feed. Buying as a group increases their buying power.
Kisima has a plot of land outside her house which the group plants maize and beans in. They use the donkeys to get water for the plants, which they sell to a nearby school to supplement their income.
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The Ugly Truth
Since her husband died, “life has not been easy” for Kisima, who is now the breadwinner and the homemaker. Her ability to make money for her children is completely dependent on her two donkeys: “My whole life I have relied on the donkey; it feeds my family and I, and educates my children too.”
Not long ago, one of Kisima’s donkeys was stolen from her in the night. She searched for three weeks, but still it was nowhere. The loss devastated the family, who was already living on the poverty line.
A sharp increase in recent years of trade in donkey meat and skins is driving demand for the widespread slaughter of these animals. As prices are driven upwards, black-market activities are also increasing, supplied by illegal activities of rustling and illegal slaughter. Consequently, there has been a massive increase in donkey theft in many parts of Kenya, attributed to legal and illegal slaughter for skin.
Brooke USA is shepherding community activism. With the end of 2019 approaching, please join us in funding another $300,000 in projects to assist thousands of working equines worldwide. Your year-end gift is tax-deductible and vital in helping us reach our goal.
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Save the Date!
#GivingTuesday is December 3rd
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Save the date as Giving Tuesday is coming up soon! Giving Tuesday will be held on December 3 and kicks off the the charitable season.
Be part of this year’s Giving Tuesday and help Brooke USA raise funds for working equines around the globe. #GivingTuesday #BrookeUSA
Look for #GivingThanksTuesday right around Thanksgiving. If you have any stories or inspirational tips, please share them with
Arianna Delin
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Donkey Art!
Candy Platz, one of Brooke USA's DOTS, has been selected for a three month solo exhibit at the Whole Foods in Wellington sponsored by the Wellington Art Society.
The show started November 1. She was also recently featured at an art show at the Wellington Mall. Any of her donkey-centric paintings that sell, directly benefit Brooke USA.
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Brooke USA Executive Director, Emily Dulin was interviewed and featured in the August issue of Celebrating Horses. Check out pages 66 and 67 for the full Q&A.
Read the article and learn all about the ins and outs of Brooke USA!
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Paint America Orange
Paint America Orange kicked off at the Pennsylvania National Horse Show and the Del Mar International Horse Show this past month. Awareness and fundraising events such as signage, branded swag and videos on the Jumbotron were all part of the events. Paint America Orange allows you to create your own fundraising program.
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Paint TIEC Orange - October 23-27
Paint TIEC Orange recently completed at the Tryon International Equestrian Center. Featuring a variety of kids activities, the events were a success. The weekend started with a Gallery Night hosted by local artist Tammy Tappan onsite at The Gallery. Ten percent of the proceeds from the evening benefited Brooke USA, and 100% of the proceeds from Tammy's new donkey,
Long Ears, Long Days
painting went directly to Brooke USA. On Saturday, Brooke USA hosted a scavenger hunt and arts & crafts during the final Grand Prix of the season, and to top it off, there was a costume contest, where Brooke USA had the honor of judging all who participated. Congratulations to all the winners and participants!
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An Evening of
Divertimentos & Dressage
An Evening of Divertimentos & Dressage was held on Thursday, October 24 at Motlow Creek Equestrian Center. The SOLD OUT event raised over $35,000 for both Brooke USA and The Spartanburg Philharmonic.
Riders JJ Tate (Brooke USA Ambassador) and Carolyn West rode beautifully under the lights of the arena to the live orchestra of local classical musicians. The unique and exciting event offered light bites, fun company and an experience unlike any other.
A huge thank you to Brooke USA supporter and owner of Motlow Creek Equestrian Center, Sally Frick, for organizing the event.
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Thank you to our supporters!
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We love all of the ways that our donors support us. Birthday fundraisers on Facebook are a huge way in which our followers like to support the organization in their own way. We would like to thank all of those that have held fundraisers for Brooke USA and appreciate your continuous support.
Facebook Fundraisers
Erica Kahn
Erin Kirby
Sian T Watts
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Interested in creating your own Facebook or Crowd Rise fundraiser for Brooke USA?
Click on the buttons below to get started!
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Are you ready to become a 2019 Dot?
It's hard to believe that we are entering our third year of the Dots! Have you made your $1,000 pledge for the 2019/2020 year? If not, now is the time!
Help us reach our goal of 50 women dedicated to the legacy of Dorothy Brooke.
Want to make an even bigger impact? Challenge your friends and family to join you as a Dot or to match your pledge. Together we will alleviate the suffering of working equines across the globe.
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Mailing Address:
Brooke USA
2333 Alexandria Drive
Lexington, KY 40504
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Executive Office:
12161 Ken Adams Way
Suite 110-F2
Wellington, FL 33414
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Brooke USA
's mission is to significantly improve the welfare of working horses, donkeys and mules and the people they serve throughout Asia, Africa, the Middle East, the Americas and the Caribbean by raising funds and responsibly directing them to the areas of greatest need.
We do this through a holistic approach to funding which includes capacity building, sustainability programming, female empowerment and international advocacy. Brooke USA connects private philanthropists with their passion for helping relieve the suffering of working equines and their owners.
EIN: 33-1173163
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