Food and Self-Reliance for AIDS Orphans

This report came directly from Zimbabwe:

"Cuthbert Moyo is an unemployed boy from Mawane village in Ntepe. He lives with his sickly mother (Ziga Dube, 52 years old) and three siblings: Thubelihle (7 years - grade 2), Ndodana (3 years), and Khulekani (13 years and in form 1).The father died in 2003 after a long illness, and since then, the family has had a lot of challenges ranging from hunger to sickness. During the father’s sickness, the few livestock they had were wiped out by medical expenses.

The family received three female goats in 2011.Two goats have given birth. One goat gave birth to a female kid while the other gave birth to twins: one male and one female. The family is milking the goats. The milk is used by all family members in tea and as a drink. Each goat is producing an average of 650mls of milk per day. The family is also using manure from the goat kraals in their vegetable plots and this has seen a marked improvement in the quality and quantity of their vegetable produce. Before the introduction of the goat project Thubelihle and Ndodana had struggled to get adequate food and signs of malnutrition were very visible. With the milk from goats and vegetables from their plots, malnutrition is a thing of the past and their skin is very healthy.

Ziga (mom) looks forward to selling a goat in the future when the project matures so that she can pay fees for the children."

It is so encouraging to receive these reports from the field!  Yes, the projects are working and kids are getting healthier each day.  Stay tuned for more reports.

~ Tanya

Links:

• Learn More About AFCA's Nutritional Programs

Nomqhele comes from Payi in Ntepe area. She is a form three student who is looking after her grandmother (Cristina Nyathi, 78years old). Nomqhele’s father died in 1995 when Nomqhele was still being breastfed by her mother, who has since passed away, as well.

This small family received three goats from AFCA in late 2010. Since then, two goats have given birth and the family has seen an addition of four kids to their flock! The goat milk is used in their tea and to drink with dinner, which has improved their health and has filled their bellies.  Manure is used in their vegetable plots, allowing Nomquele and her grandmother to eat better meals, complete with vegetables they grow themselves.  Some of these veggies include tomatoes, pumpkins, peanuts, beans, peas, onions, and kale.

Besides their improved health, Nomqhele says her status in the community has improved as she is now regarded as the livestock owner by other members of the community.  This is MASSIVE in a culture dominated by men and Nomqhele's future looks promising as she continues her training in husbandry (also part of what AFCA does) and basic veterinary skills. 

Since Nomquele and her grandmother are not allowed to slaughter the goats until three years since their gift has passed, we supplement their diet by providing ATMIT - an oat based porridge.  Together with ATMIT, the milk and the vegetables, Nomquele is doing well.  Thank you for your part in this.  Thank you for caring for children like Nomquele and for giving her a better life now and a chance of a future.

Happy New Year to you and your loved ones,

tanya

Links:

• For more on what we do
• What do we do with a dollar? Check it out!