Hello, this is Business Daily from the BBC. I'm Vivienne Nunes.

The unmistakable sound of a donkey. There are an estimated 10 million of these animals living in

sub-Saharan Africa, many providing crucial roles supporting the livelihoods

of low-income families. Today we find out just how important these beasts of burden are to

the economics of the region. We cannot survive without donkeys. So, Lamo, we depend on donkeys. Without

donkeys, everything, it will be very, very hard.

And we hear how China's demand for donkey skins is worrying many across Africa.

There are people who are looking for the skin of the donkeys,

taking the skin, leaving the meat and exporting the skins to China.

Why Donkeys Matter, here on Business Daily from the BBC.

Lamu is an island off the coast of Kenya towards the Somali border.

The old town here is a UNESCO World Heritage Site

and ancient buildings overhang a maze of narrow streets.

Layers of history are visible from the spice trade and beyond.

It's also an island without cars.

Instead, there are an awful lot of donkeys.

I've come to a donkey sanctuary here right on the waterfront in the old town on the island of Lamu in northern Kenya.

This is a charity-run organisation. It's actually linked to the donkey sanctuary in Devon in the UK.

And this is where many, many animals are brought every year in pretty bad shape. As I've

been standing here, I've seen two with leg fractures, one in a cast, one just with a completely

limp front leg, others with cuts on their backs and pretty visible wounds. And I'm here with

Mohammed, who is a vet here.

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