One Car or Sixty Nine Families and Empowered Women, Where $10,000 Can Go

Ten Grand buys a pretty cheap new car in the United States. In Kenya, it helps 69 families support themselves and helps them to support even more families. Reach The Children received a $10,000 donation and invested the donation in farms to help Kenyans fight poverty by becoming self sustaining business owners. We are proud to see the funds have also gone to empower women in the region, breaking traditional male dominance stereotypes.

RTC's Kenya Country Director wrote about the project in the following:

2009 DAIRY – POULTRY – SHEEP PROJECT
By Jastus Suchi Obadiah

This is a report of the $10,000 sent to Reach the Children Kenya via RTC Inc. in 2009 for the implementation of Dairy Project in Western Kenya according to the proposal that was sent. These funds were supposed to purchase fifteen cows, however due to an improved exchange rate: The funds were used to empower more families than targeted as shown in the table below:

PUBLISHERS NOTE: SORRY THIS IS CUT OFF. CLICK THE CHART TO SEE IT IN ITS ENTIRETY

The Groups that received the animals above are indicated in the report attached to this report. However, five major groups received, that is:

1. SHIEBU Network (comprising of over 30 self help groups) found in Butere District. They got 13 cows and ten goats.
2. Vihiga Development Group from Vihiga District got two cows.
3. Annointed Youth Group from Trans nzioa District. They received 11 Sheep.
4. Ang’olo Women Group that received 10 goats
5. Mesori Beach group that received five goats.

All farmers were trained on their management of the animals they received before they were given.

Farmers receiving training and instructions on how to manage animal from a local trainer.

Impact of the Project So Far
Letters of appreciation will be send by this report, however most of these letters were written before calves were born and even chickens had not multiply. A report that will be send in May will indicate the new findings. However a general survey showed that those families that received cows that have delivered economic lives improved, they had improved from living on a less than a dollar per day to living on five and above dollars a day. Indirectly, the keeping of dairy cow had improved the farming activities too because they were able to purchase seeds and other farm input. Families surrounding those that received also reported a new income generating activity of selling grass to those that have cows; this has generated a new excitement in the community to grow grass commercially for those that keep cows/goats etc. Those that received Chickens, they got immediate benefit, and most farmers sell eggs and chicken for meat.
Below, we have some of the photos taken from the project, some photos are of poor quality but they show hopeful families. On behalf of RTC Kenya and all the families, Thanks

This is the wife of Daniel Masimba, their cow is incalf and they do have high hopes. She takes care of it when the husband is out working.

This is a family of Samuel Frodwa, the cow delivered and they are now enjoying milk, being handcaped means that he stays at home most of the time while his wife goes to look for grass. They said that this is the first time they have owned a cow. Once they donate two calves born, they hope to keep more cows to produce more milk.

This is a family of Hanningtone Amunga, in this photo, they have smilling faces as they await they take care of their incalf cow. They are hopeful that the cow will give them milk and transform their economic life. So far, they are benefiting from compost made from the manure and resecue of animal feeds. This has improved their home garden so much.

The projects targest both men and women. This is to bridge a gap that has dominated cultral beliefs that women and men cannot work together. Now more women like the one above (Esther Ochero) are hopeful even after loosing her husband three years ago. She hopes to earn money from the cow she received to educate her children through secondary. During the training, men are taught to respect the rights of their wives to own things like cows etc.


Indeed RTC has not reported any major family disputes resulting from men wanting to take all the money sold from milk or even selling the animal. During the initial preparation stage, local cheifs are also involved and thus a signature of a husband, wife or any family member is gotten to quarantee family support.

When a cow delivers, a farmer is supposed to take care of it for eight months, before handing over to another farm. This is normaly done openly with a short ceremony as shown above. Though it takes up to two years for the young cow to mature, the receiving end is normaly happy and optimistic.

This Group from Vihiga called: Vihiga Development Group received two cows, one has already delivered

This is a family from Annointed Youth Group from Kitale area, they received one Sheep which delivered one month later. He is supposed to donate two born sheep and then he can enjoy the sell of the rest. In this community, they sell sheep for meat.

This is Wanyama family with their donated cow, they are hopeful and strive each day to take care of it. They were trained on how to take care of it well. They have grown enough grass for it. The cow should be delivering any time soon.

This is Ang’olo Women Group that received ten goats from RTC. Most of these goats have since delivered. They sent much appreciation to those that donated.

Potato chips taste even better in Kenya, and 51 other Reasons to Volunteer with Reach the Children

After a trip to Kenya last year with Reach the Children, Emily Smurthwaite wrote 52 things she learned on the expedition. Here are some of them, the rest can be found at 52 things I learned in Kenya

Number One: Friendship is in the stomach. (A doctor said that when persuading us to drink Orange Fanta.)

Number Three: Never take a warm shower for granted.

Number Four: The best music for getting ready for bed is an African men's choir that is practicing nearby.



Number Seventeen: Nothing feels better than rain after a hot, long day.

Number Eighteen: The Maasi tribe lives on cow meat, cow milk, and cow blood. (For reals!)




Number Twenty Two: Jambo means hello in Swahili (not from the author, but if you listen closely, you can hear "Hakuna Matata" in the song)



Number Thirty Four: Obama has a lot of cousins and nieces and nephews in Kenya ... or so they claimed.

Number Fifty One: Kenyans are the sweetest, kindest, nicest people ever.

To learn 52 of your own lessons, join Reach the Children for an expedition!

Reach the Children Helps Kenyans Start Dairy Farms to Increase Self Reliance

With a donation of $2500, cows were purchased to create self-sustaining dairy farms for over 300 Western Kenyans. "Please tell others about it and please let us know if there are others you know who may wish to support this project."

DAIRY COW PROJECT REPORT FOR BERMUDA DAIRY PROJECT

By Jastus Suchi Obadiah

Introduction

The project targeted three groups of people, Anointed Youth Group from Kitale, SHIEBU Network (comprising of over 30 self help groups) and Inaya Secondary School with over 300 students. All the groups are found in Western Kenya. The project aimed at encouraging the local people to venture into dairy farming and appreciate it as a way of alleviating poverty.

The Project goals were:

1. To improve income levels of the targeted families.
2. To increase food production through milk production and crop farming by use of compost made from manure.
3. To improve animal management skills of targeted farmers and students
4. Create self employment opportunities in the targeted community.

Targeted groups

1. Anointed Youth group (30 members)
2. Inaya Secondary School (290 students)
3. SHIEBU Network (33 self help groups each with about 10 members)

Methodology Used

Due to small land sizes as a result of traditional subdivision (from fathers to sons) thus Zero grazing method is recommended. This methods demands the cow to be restricted in one area and feeds brought to the animal for feeding. It has advantages such as: less energy is spent looking for food, grass, legumes and by-products in the farm are more efficiently used. The grass is not trampled upon by cows. Manure can be collected easily and there is decreased risk of diseases, tick infestation and even theft. However the method has a disadvantage that the animal is restricted to move in its natural way. Thus using this method, farmers are trained by Agricultural officers or group trainers to ensure sufficient space for the cow to move around and air circulation and allow natural light to enter. The unit should also be protected from excess rain and wind.

Before the distribution of cows, the following activities took place:

1. First Round Beneficiaries were identified by each group.
2. They were trained on livestock management.
3. They had to construct the unit where the cow will stay.
4. They had to grow sufficient grass to begin the project. They were trained on varieties of fodder crops to be grown.

From the funds ($2500) that were donated by Bermuda friends, five cows were purchased and distributed in June.

Anointed Youth Group

This is a group that comes from Kitale Area near Mount Elgon in Western Kenya. Though their name suggests that it is a youth group, it is actually comprised of members of all ages. They are very united in addressing challenges that affect them and their community.

Members of Anointed Group

They received three cows which were given to three families. One of the cows will deliver a calf in October.

Patrick Sima Omega with the cow he received. He has six children and he is excited about the cow.

The family of Dominic Kosgei

The family of Timothy Muyonga, this cow is due to calve in October and they will begin enjoying the milk for drinking and for domestic and sale.

Inaya Secondary School

This is a school with about 280 students from grade nine to twelve. The donated cow from Bermuda Friends was to enhance their Agricultural program which is aimed at training these students in agricultural skills. Most of them never end up in a university and thus learning dairy farming skills prepares them to catch up with economical life after school. They are excited to learn dairy farming at school and apply the skills in their homes. Calves born to this cow shall be distributed to graduating students or parents. With 280 students, it would be great if many more cows could be distributed here.

This is grade eleven of Inaya Secondary School

SHIEBU Network

This is a group of 33 self help groups, and has over 300 members. The cow was given to a sub group called Abulatebwa group. The cow was given to Eunice Lubengu with her family.

Eunice and her family

Local Contribution

Indeed the farmers that received the cows demonstrated a willing heart to participate and own the project. They attended training as required by the implementation policy, they constructed the units for cows and grew the needed grass. The monitoring report of August showed that each cow is in good conditions and are well fed. Government extension Agricultural officers are helpful in making sure that they help treat disease and give more knowledge at a subsidized fee. Farmers that received the cows are required to give out the first two heifers born to other two farmers within their groups.

Conclusion

The families that received are waiting and looking hopefully forward to the day they will have milk to use and to sell in order to increase the family income. Currently, they are benefiting from the manure, which they use to make compost to use in growing more produce in their gardens. Reach The Children, on behalf of the beneficiaries, wish to thank you so much for your wonderful donation to this project. Please tell others about it and please let us know if there are others you know who may wish to support this project.

40% More! Transfer Your Airline Miles to Reach the Children

Northwest Airlines is posting a special for those who want to transfer their airline miles.

Transfer miles now through September 25, 2009 to WorldPerks #555266331 for Kevin Clawson, President of Reach the Children, for humanitarian travel and he’ll receive your miles plus an additional 40% mileage bonus and you will receive a tax receipt for your donation

Please email verification to info@reachthechildren.org

To transfer the miles, click here for the NWA World Perks Transfer Miles site. Remember, it is WorldPerks #555266331

Here is any example of how NWA will add 40% to the miles you donate.

Reach the Children Blogs Again

Reach the Children has been immensely busy over the past four years.

We are pleased to announce that we are up and blogging again.

We hope you will follow us and reference us on your blog.

You can also follow us on Facebook and on Twitter.

We look forward to hearing from each of you.