Livestock for 300 Orphan Families in Zimbabwe

Sometimes something so exciting happens that we want the world to know about it.  We have that kind of news right now, right here!  AFCA is about to set up a new breeding/multiplication center in Matopos, Zimbabwe!  Yes, we will be raising goats in this center and we will be training community members in gardening, husbandry, and basic veterinary skills. Why?  So that when beneficiary families are selected and when they have the appropriate housing built for their animals, they can receive three pregnant goats in order to start their flock.

A multiplication center is a pretty cool idea - it is where we can place healthy animals and breed them with strong bucks so that their offspring produce more milk or meat, depending on the goals of the project. We will keep good records of births, deaths, parents, siblings, milk production, size, etc, so we know which animals are the best to pass on to families. Trainings also take place at the center, allowing families to see, touch and learn in a very real way how to care for animals, how to properly feed them, what a good shelter looks like, why it is important to keep them warm in the winter and cool in the summer, and so much more.  

Families can work together at the multiplication center, learning together and reminding each other of what they've seen and learned.  We are so excited to be setting up a new center and look forward to watching little kids grow up to be strong, healthy goats, while also watching our children grow up to be herders and farmers. 

Thank YOU for being part of this life-changing project.  Thank you for allowing us to bring hope to this part of the world, where drinking milk can make the difference between having some protein in your system or not.  Thank you for giving children the chance to break out of the cycle of poverty.

Keep your eyes peeled on this space for photos of the kids and goats, as well as photos of the beneficiaries.  It's going to be a great project.  I just feel it!

A variety of vegetables in Regina’s garden have outlived its period and she is looking forward to receiving new seeds to plant.  She has some seeds she saved, like tomatoes and peas which she is going to plant before receiving seeds from our program.  We have urged our beneficiaries to save seeds and they are doing that.  Regina is 56 years old and has four children.  Three of them are attending school!  Simon is 7 years old and is pictured with Regina.  He should have started school, but has been able to do so because of his poor health.

Like most beneficiaries, Regina is very hardworking and has managed to provide her children with the vegetable nutrition they need, and  she has gone an extra mile selling some of the vegetables from her garden to raise money for children’s other needs.  Your donations to support our Zimbabwe livestock and agricultural project have made this all possible for Regina and many other families just like hers.  The health of children is improving daily and they are able to attend school.  The future is brighter and you have made dreams come true!

If you have questions or are interested in learning more about this program or others, please contact Tanya Weaver at tweaver@afcaids.org.