Experience Viničani: Visit Our Donkey Farm

There is nothing more beautiful in the world than the moment when parents teach their children to work from a young age. To pass on a craft, to educate them, and involve them in all their work duties, without taking away their childhood.

The team at Kajak.mk has always referred to such people as "Local Heroes," because the foundation of a healthy society lies right here.

Today, we take you to the village of Viničani, where we will share the story of the Velinovski family, who have opened a unique Macedonian farm, different from the farms we have written about before.

This farm doesn't raise sheep or cows, but rather tame donkeys. A farm with over 40 donkeys that produces organic donkey milk, named "Theo's Farm."

The facility is built by Risto Velinovski, and the beginnings of this unique story date back to 2019, when he also "welcomed" the first donkeys.

Velinovski says that at the beginning, he had a small number of donkeys, but his passion and love for the work drove him to increase the number, and today he has over 40 donkeys.

The method of raising and caring for donkeys is not much different from the way other farm animals are raised. Every animal to which you give love and attention will return that love in its own way. Also, every animal has its good and bad days, just like people. But the most important thing is to consider the animal as part of your family, so you can understand its struggles and problems.

The biggest support in his work comes from his younger son, Teo, with whom you can often find him at local organic food fairs across Macedonia.

Teo frequently accompanies his father to the pastures they own, which they use to let the donkeys graze on fresh grass during the summer season.

The open field allows the donkeys to feel happy, and when an animal is happy and not stressed, the milk will be healthier. Speaking of milk, unlike cows, sheep, or goats, a donkey can produce between 200 and 300 grams of milk per day, and the period during which it gives milk lasts from 2 to 3 months, depending on the lactation cycle.

Unlike cow, sheep, or goat milk, this milk is primarily consumed to improve immunity and respiratory health, rather than as a daily food substitute. This is mainly due to its high market price and its low fat content, which doesn't satisfy hunger in the same way as other types of milk.

Risto says that Hippocrates, considered the father of medicine, recognized that donkey milk could greatly help humans with respiratory issues and immunity, and it has been scientifically proven to treat over 20 diseases.

The milk is sold fresh, without being processed into other dairy products, and can be purchased directly from the Velinovski farm, or you can order it through the Kajak.mk grocery store with just one click HERE.

Those who have already tried this healthy way of boosting immunity seek it out regularly, while others are still getting familiar with the benefits of donkey milk.