10 March 2011 - The people of Afghanistan’s Central Highlands found a novel way to call for better government services this week, at the same time as recognizing the tireless work of their donkeys in day-to-day tasks.

Around 50 people from remote villages travelled to the regional capital of Bamyan with their donkeys and held a demo insisting that the local government expand basic services to rural areas.

In their peaceful demo the country fold showed a wry sense of humour in issuing a Letter of Appreciation for their beasts of burden, which included the citation for the donkeys: We, the people of Bamyan, are honored by your
efforts for years in providing our houses with water, without expecting any compensation - and this is while our villages are forgotten by high governmental officials.