Livestock for 300 Orphan Families in Zimbabwe

The American Foundation for Children with AIDS sponsored goat project based at Morning Star Camp in Matobo (Southern Zimbabwe) has been successfully operating for over seven years, and during this time empowered dozens of families who were vulnerable due to HIV/Aids.

The model is one in which selected beneficiary families each received 3 pregnant female goats with which to start their own goat herd.  They contract with the American Foundation for Children with AIDS to repay the program with 3 female goats within a three year period.  Some families have done exceptionally well and used this initiative to start their own micro businesses, while others have sold excess to pay for school fees, medical bills and food. The beneficiary families are selected using strict criteria as this ensures that only the most deserving of households receive the support.  The beneficiaries are then trained in the basics of goat husbandry which includes identifying sick animals, breeding and gestation, feeding and nutrition and raising newborn kids.  Once selected to receive goats, the families are monitored by the staff of the goat project to ensure that they follow the goat care guidelines they were taught and to check on the general health of their herd.  See attached photos from our recent training.

The team here at the American Foundation for Children with AIDS thanks you for supporting this project and the work we do for the children in Africa.  If you would like to learn even more about what we do or how you can meet some of the children you have helped, please contact Tanya Weaver at tweaver@AFCAids.org.