GlobalGiving.org: Goats: Help Families Become Self-Sufficient

Goats bring relief and sustainability to Chabe

Leonie Hermantin — Sat, 30 Aug 2008 03:38:27 GMT

MPC members wanted to convey their gratitude their benefactors. Mrs Melina Seme speaking on behalf of the group, was extremely happy for the opportunity to tell all the men and women who supported Chabe's goat project about its positive impact on their communities. "They( goats) are already changing things" says Melina, " we are no longer hoping and praying for an end to our misery, we have great certainty that our lives have improved and that things will get even better when our goats continue to breed". "We say thank you to all of you wonderful "blans" ( creole word for foreigners) who believe in our vision and in our determination to do for ourselves. We have nothing to give back, but we know that God will bless all of you and your children. Thank you Mesi, Mesi , Mesi!!!"

Goat Breeding Project

Leonie Hermantin — Tue, 12 Aug 2008 00:13:06 GMT

Project Update There are now 202 goats in total and MPC is hoping to double this number by next year. A few months ago, MPC’s leadership realized that many members of the organization who did not receive goats were growing extremely resentful. Fearing that this would create strained relations among their members, they approached the Lambi Fund and requested funding for additional goats. Understanding the gravity of the situation, the Lambi Fund agreed to increase funding towards the purchase of 60 more goats (50 females and 10 males). . Workshops: The Lambi Fund offered new workshops on animal husbandry members of MPC participated in a 3-day workshop facilitated by a veterinarian who specializes in goat breeding. Veterinary Supplies: In consultation with the veterinarian MPC members compiled a list of medication needed to keep goats and kids healthy. Once the list was compiled and approved by the veterinarian Lambi Fund provided the funding needed for MPC members to purchase the medication. The pharmacy is also a source of revenue for the organization, since the medication will be sold at very reasonable rate to members caring for the goats. Project Impact

Members of the organization are extremely satisfied with the project's outcome. In their evaluation of the project they have identified the following benefits reaped from working with the Lambi Fund of Haiti: • The organization has become much more active and engaged- Members meet more often • There is a greater sense of solidarity among members, since they worked together to increase the number goats distributed to the general membership. • There are more than 30 members who have increased their capacity to care for goats • There are more members who have improved their ability to manage projects including improved financial reporting and improved organizational transparency

Members are hoping that they will be able to invest profits made from the goat project into another sustainable economic activity which will bring greater financial stability to the members.

Attachments:

Goat Breeding Project (DOC)

Goats: Help Families Become Self-Sufficient

Leonie M. Hermantin — Tue, 31 Jul 2007 21:24:34 GMT

In February 2007, the Lambi Fund supplied 55 goats to the Peasant Movement of Chabe( MPC). There are 50 females and 5 males.

Prior to supplying the goats, MPC members had to build shelters for the goats and erect enclosures around the areas where goats would be allowed to graze. The Lambi Fund has been extremely concerned with the practice of open grazing, which has impeded reforestation efforts particularly with regards to goats’ unfortunate propensity to feast on young trees.

Female goats are expected to have two litters a year with a gestation period of 5 months and a litter size averaging 1-2 kids. So far 5 females goats have given birth to 7 kids including 4 females and 3 males (Lambi Fund staff assumes that goats had been pregnant when purchased). MPC members are currently breeding goats and are hoping for a substantial yield by January 2008.

Workshops:

A month prior to the acquisition of the goats, members of MPC participated in a 3-day workshop facilitated by a veterinarian who specializes in goat breeding.

Veterinary Supplies:

In consultation with the veterinarian MPC members compiled a list of medication needed to keep goats and kids healthy. Once the list was compiled and approved by the veterinarian Lambi Fund provided the funding needed for the acquisition of the veterinary supplies. The pharmacy is also a modest source of revenue for the organization, since the medication will be sold at very reasonable rate to members caring for the goats.