Women in Uganda and Rwanda struggle to find jobs or opportunities for income to support their families. In many village settings, women lack the social status to change their families living situation. The Animal Sustainability Project gives women an opportunity to create a sustainable living through small animal care.
The cost per animal is Cow: $325, Goat: $70, Chicken: $15, Pig: $30, Turkey: $35, Duck: $30.
Women in Uganda and Rwanda struggle to find jobs or opportunities for income to support their families. In many village settings, women lack the social status to change their families living situation. The Animal Sustainability Project gives women an opportunity to create a sustainable living through small animal care.
The cost per animal is Cow: $325, Goat: $70, Chicken: $15, Pig: $30, Turkey: $35, Duck: $30.
BACKGROUND
The Church of God in Uganda began in the 1970’s, but went underground due to Idi Amin. It was restarted in 1983 when Stan and Marion Hoffman came. In just a few years there were over 200 churches. Today, there are about 500 churches with over 25,000 believers.
Vision
The goal of this project, like the Jjajja House project, is to resource the under-resourced populations in Uganda and Rwanda. East Africa deals with high levels of poverty. Most Ugandans live off the land and depend on selling their crops, which can be risky when the seasons are dysfunctional. Possible annual earnings may be $400 – $600.
The gift of a small animal, which can be used as an on-going food and income source, can help alleviate some of the financial burden that people experience. It is a small act that can make a significant difference in the lives of women and their children living in poverty.
Recipients of the animals are found through the Tumaini AIDS Prevention Program (TAPP), church groups, and women’s groups. They are interviewed and visited several times before a gift is made. As part of the process, the recipient can request a type of animal they wish to receive.
Another important component of the program is that each recipient signs an agreement that they will give the first female offspring of any cow or goat to another woman. That woman also agrees to give the first female offspring to another woman and the chain continues. This allows the person receiving the gift to also be a blessing to others, breaking down some of the stigma associated with receiving aid.
Colleen Stevenson shares this story of about a young boy in Gulu who received an animal:
One of the Children of Promise sponsored boys was given a rooster and two hens about three years ago. He has used the profits from selling eggs to purchase additional chickens and now has a flock of about 30 chickens!
Ways to make a difference
For more information, contact Global Strategy Projects at 800.848.2464 or GSProjects@chog.org.