Jordanian family overcome mockery to make a mint from donkey milk soap

  • Emad Attiyat, co-founder of Atan Donkey Milk Soaps, at a farm he manages in Madaba, about 35 kilometres south-west of Jordan's capital Amman. All photos: AFP
    Emad Attiyat, co-founder of Atan Donkey Milk Soaps, at a farm he manages in Madaba, about 35 kilometres south-west of Jordan's capital Amman. All photos: AFP
  • A worker milks a donkey at a farm managed by Atan Donkey Milk Soaps in Madaba. Friends and family initially mocked the Jordanian family's new venture making soap from donkey milk. But a year later the company is cleaning up, with customers queuing up for their products.
    A worker milks a donkey at a farm managed by Atan Donkey Milk Soaps in Madaba. Friends and family initially mocked the Jordanian family's new venture making soap from donkey milk. But a year later the company is cleaning up, with customers queuing up for their products.
  • Natural ingredients are mixed with donkey milk to produce soap at the company's laboratory in Jordan's capital Amman.
    Natural ingredients are mixed with donkey milk to produce soap at the company's laboratory in Jordan's capital Amman.
  • Emad Attiyat at the company's laboratory in Amman, where Atan Donkey Milk Soaps produces 100 per cent natural soaps with milk from its farm in Madaba.
    Emad Attiyat at the company's laboratory in Amman, where Atan Donkey Milk Soaps produces 100 per cent natural soaps with milk from its farm in Madaba.
  • Emad Attiyat, left, with his mother and business partner Salma al-Zubi, at the company's laboratory in Amman. The farm in Madaba, 35 kilometres from Amman, is home to 12 donkeys.
    Emad Attiyat, left, with his mother and business partner Salma al-Zubi, at the company's laboratory in Amman. The farm in Madaba, 35 kilometres from Amman, is home to 12 donkeys.
  • Emad Attiyat pouring a mix of natural ingredients and donkey milk into soap moulds at the company factory in Amman, Jordan.
    Emad Attiyat pouring a mix of natural ingredients and donkey milk into soap moulds at the company factory in Amman, Jordan.