Nov 18, 2015

Even Goats Can Inspire Hope, Development and Sustainability


Background

Since the genocide, Rwanda is striving to reconcile its society, rebuild its economy, guarantee gender equality and improve its healthcare system and infrastructure. Despite the fact that the Government has put several measures in place to improve living conditions, this historically marginalized Batwa community in Nyabihu district is still facing poverty. Unable to access their ancestral lands and practice traditional economic and cultural activities, the Batwa have become one of the most vulnerable communities in the country.

Project Outcomes

Women from 40 households were given a choice - a sheep or a goat - as a source of income and nutrition for their families. The women were involved in every stage of the process, going to the livestock market and choosing their animal personally. The goats and sheep are from local areas and familiar to the environment. The veterinarian of the district was also present to facilitate this process.

Goats (and sheep) are a valuable asset for families and communities in Rwanda; however, many Batwa cannot afford them. The comparable advantage of goats is that they can graze even on poor, dry land unsuitable for other livestock and their manure can be used to fertilize gardens and fields. Each day, goats can supply several quarts of milk providing important nutrition for undernourished family members and most importantly for children who need a balanced and healthy diet. Goats will allow Batwa women and their families to sell their wool, dairy products, like milk, cheese or yoghurt at local markets in order to stimulate extra earnings. 

Alongside the purchase of their animals, the women were also given training in financial matters: saving, spending, planning and budgeting, as well as small income-generating activities. Batwa women will be able to use this new knowledge to start small businesses of their own (perhaps selling milk or cheese), as well as to more effectively manage their households. 

The best part of the project is its sustainability: the 40 women and their families will, in turn, pass on a kid or lamb to another household. Goats give birth to two or three kids per year, offering Batwa families the opportunity to sustainably plan little investments and to pay for food supplies, education and health care. The knowledge gained from our financial and business planning workshops will be shared throughout the community, so that everyone can benefit from it.

This project has helped empower Batwa women and their families, giving them the skills and resources they need to improve their lives and escape poverty.