Remember that hideous orange dress I bought at the market a while back? Well, Heather and I found a new use for it this week. We were in need of scarecrows out at the farm to keep warthogs and baboons away and we couldn’t think of anything more repulsive, obnoxious, or less inviting than that dress. It seems more fitting for the scarecrow than for me!
Kidding season is upon us out at the goat site and Heather and I had a blast watching our 20 something new baby goats play around with each other. People, I am telling you, they are like little cute puppy dogs! And then they grow up to be ugly goats. But, what can you do? For now, they are cute and adorable and very photogenic so we are capitalizing on the moment.
We also had the pleasure of being able to distribute school supplies to the 55 kids in our program this week. There little faces were so sweet to watch as they each opened up their brand new bookbags and sifted through the notebooks, pens, and pencils inside. Such a small thing really, but they were all delighted and most had their new bookbags on their backs before they ever left the building! We were also able to touch base with one of the girls in our program that recently received glasses. For the first time, she can see clearly and is able to read. Again, such a small thing, but we know it made a big difference in her life.
Also this week, we met the 12 new ladies who will be new goat beneficiaries. We attended training with them yesterday as they learned about how to take better care of these crossbred goats. A local cow here will give 2-3 liters of milk per day. Our imported Toggenburg goats give an average of 4 liters per day. We have crossbred the Toggenburgs with local goats, and are hopeful that these crossbreds will give 1-2 liters of milk per day for these families, while consuming far less than a cow. As soon as the ladies have their pens built, they will each receive 2 new goats, along with two years of vaccinations, veterinary attention, access to breeding by a Toggenburg buck, and prizes at the end of the 2 years for those who were the most successful with their projects. They will give their first male goat back to us, but can keep the remaining to build up their herd, sell for additional income, or use for meat and milk.
