The Fulani people have a tradition known as "hapbenai". This tradition sees more wealthy animal owners lending an animal to a poorer member of the community. The recipient takes care of the animal and is given the first offspring of the animal. Once the newborn is weaned, the lent animal moves to another needy person. In early May we launched into our first formal distribution (hapbenai) of goats in the village of Teppe.
Because this is nothing new for these people, it results in a better adherence to the structure and responsibilities established. Because the animal is being awaited by a second recipient, the first recipient is under pressure to do well with it and thus ends up doing a better job for the community. The animals provide milk for the children and extra income as mothers learn how to make cheese and sell it in the market.
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100 Goats To Go May 9th, 2008 found us out at Teppe with 100 goats to distribute to a group of women chosen to receive the first lot of goats distributed through our ministry.
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Rousse de Maradi The breed of goat chosen is known as the Chevre Rousse de Maradi (Red Goad of Maradi). These goats have been especially bred for Niger. They are known to be more robust than most local breeds. They consistently have 2 or 3 kids with each pregnancy. They give a lot of milk and hold up well in the heat and dryness of Niger.
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Lady With Goats-Booklet Each woman received 3 female goats and 1 male. They received several lessons before the distribution to help them be prepared to raise well the goats that they would receive. This woman is holding some of the booklets, prepared by Samaritan's Purse and full of images that render the reading of the books quite easy for those who, though illiterate, have taken the course taught in the book.
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Kids Hold the Kids The kids of the village were very involved keeping the newly arrived kids in order.
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Dr Aziz Dr. Aziz, veterinarian with Samaritan's Purse watched over the distribution after having given lessons to the women on the care required for their new animals.
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Adamou Explains In the background, Adamou, president of the association with which we work, gives instructions on how the signing of contracts and the distribution of the goats will take place.
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Dr Aziz Vaccinates Dr. Aziz gave vaccinations to all of the goats to assure their survival in their new home.
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Maman Vaccinates Maman Laya, one of the men trained in our para-veterinarian training of 2006, joined in using a syringe that we donated to him back then. He hands in reports each month on the vaccinations and treatments that he has given.
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Maman Vaccinates2 Mamane with another goat. Ouch!
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Hama Assisting Hama, another of those who received para veterinary training assists in the vaccination process.
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Rouga Signing Contracts
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ID Tags The goats were tagged so as to permit a clear follow up of each animal.
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The reason And it all comes down to the big WHY? This photo says it all. We are striving to help our friends better care for their children in this land where 1 in 4 children will die before the age of 5 years old. Pray that we will be able to succeed in this effort.
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Total images: 13 | Last update: 11/23/08 11:57 AM |   | Help |
