Goats, Cows, and Pigs Oh My!

Prior to this week I had never caught a chicken, given a cow a vaccination, built a fish pond, or restrained a goat, but after one week with the livestock team here in Kamwenge, I can say that I've done that and much more! It has been exciting and inspiring visiting with the various beneficiaries all over this district. I have heard numerous stories about how a few goats or some chickens have made significant impacts on livelihoods of so many people in the community. The staff here begin by providing a 2 week workshop on how SP's Livestock program functions and then follows with more practical information on how to properly care for the animals. The most motivated and needy individuals are determined. The selected individuals are required to build proper enclosers/pens for the animals using locally available materials. Upon completion of the structures, SP provides the individuals with the animals (either 1 cow, 3 goats, 1 pig or 10 chickens). They continue to monitor the beneficiaries on a weekly basis to ensure that the animals are well taken care of and have received all their immunizations. Within 2-3 years the beneficiaries are required to repay the animals which they were given and those animals are then given to the next beneficiary. The program has proven to be both succesful and sustainable with numerous families testifying to better food security, improved health and more disposable income.