JD Drought Support

Because Namibia does not have direct access to these international fundraising platforms I am starting this fundraiser as a private person from Germany to assist with our current emergency situation in Namibia. My name is Annika and I am the founder and owner of Joseph's Dream Stud, Namibia together with my husband Leon.

We are currently facing a drought in Namibia and appreciate urgent support to bring our dear animals through the year. We only received 60mm of rainfall throughout the entire rainy season and just after our green grass started sprouting there was no more rain and it all died off again and burnt away by the harsh sun again before it could come up.

Since weeks we are busy trying to source bailed grass; but because the rain was so scarce all over the country the few farmers that received rain and have grass are keeping what they can and the little bit that is available for purchase is already high above market price and selling out quickly...

There is a barrier at the moment on the border from South Africa due to the foot & mouth disease and we are not allowed to import any bales or any form of roughage over the border from South Africa. So we are preparing for a terrifying drought where we are caught up within our own countrie's borders for supply. Additional to this problem the main SA lab (Onderstepoort), currently the only AHS vaccine producer in South Africa is since last year short in production and it currently seems at stage of no more production; there are currently no AHS vaccines available in Namibia and unvaccinated horses are not allowed to be exported to any neighbouring country. Our vaccines from last year are valued until July this year, thereafter we do not know if and when we will be able to export horses over the border again. So in short it means we are not allowed to bring the grass from neighbouring countries to the horses neither the horses to the grass in South Africa, Zimbabwe or any other country.

It's becoming a serious bottleneck and this is a very cruel and scary prospect. We all know already that there hasn't been enough grass growing in Namibia to bring through the animals in this country. We are in urgent need for funds to prepare as good as possible and buy what is still available at this stage!

We are already busy trying to rehome and send over the border to South Africa dear horse family members who we can still find loving homes for and who we can afford to let go off without ruin our stud or international horsemanship program which in return is not only providing loving care for animals, education & training in animal care but also providing a job, food & education to 30+ Namibians and their families.

The mares that are bred are bred and the new foals are on their way, there is no return. The current small foals are here and they are young and have to stay at least until they have reached a healthy travel age and found their suitable and loving home (and would also need to be vaccinated to be able to be exported). Then we have to look after our sick horses and senior horses... We have additional life-stock to bring through, our Alpacas, Jerseycows, Rescue Donkeys and even our wild animals will need support this year!

This fundraiser is for one full grass truck which can feed everyone through for about one month. Every truck we can safe and get in now helps because the next rainfall and green grass growing in Namibia can only be expected in December/January again...

Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for your assistance and support!

The attached video shows our field after a normal rainy season and how it looks today. This is a similar situation in most parts of the country.