This is an income-generating project through which female and male goats for cross breeding will be provided to the families of children with disabilities. Goats breed quickly and are easy to manage. The project will be carried out in 3 sub counties of western Uganda and will directly benefit 90 children with special needs, 45 girls and 45 boys below the age of 18.
Children with disabilities are very vulnerable due to traditional beliefs, myths and stigma. Most of them are neglected and not treated the same as non-disabled children. They end up being denied their rights to basic life needs such as education. Empowering parents with income generating activities, peer support as well as awareness raising on the rights of children with disabilities leads to better life situation for the children.
The project is providing goats to the parents as a basis for income generation through the sale of goat milk and meat. Goats were specifically chosen as they are easy to manage, produce at least 2 kids per year and are resistant to many diseases. Additional advantage is that the goat droppings are being used as natural fertilizer for their gardens. There is a ready market for goat milk and meat within the community.
The project will lead to increased income at household level through goat rearing, ownership of livestock (goats), increased enrollment of children with special needs in schools, awareness raising, reduction in stigmatization, increase social inclusion and visibility of children with disabilities.
