Goats: Help Families Become Self-Sufficient

In February 2007, the Lambi Fund supplied 55 goats to the Peasant Movement of Chabe( MPC). There are 50 females and 5 males.

Prior to supplying the goats, MPC members had to build shelters for the goats and erect enclosures around the areas where goats would be allowed to graze. The Lambi Fund has been extremely concerned with the practice of open grazing, which has impeded reforestation efforts particularly with regards to goats’ unfortunate propensity to feast on young trees.

Female goats are expected to have two litters a year with a gestation period of 5 months and a litter size averaging 1-2 kids. So far 5 females goats have given birth to 7 kids including 4 females and 3 males (Lambi Fund staff assumes that goats had been pregnant when purchased). MPC members are currently breeding goats and are hoping for a substantial yield by January 2008.

Workshops:

A month prior to the acquisition of the goats, members of MPC participated in a 3-day workshop facilitated by a veterinarian who specializes in goat breeding.

Veterinary Supplies:

In consultation with the veterinarian MPC members compiled a list of medication needed to keep goats and kids healthy. Once the list was compiled and approved by the veterinarian Lambi Fund provided the funding needed for the acquisition of the veterinary supplies. The pharmacy is also a modest source of revenue for the organization, since the medication will be sold at very reasonable rate to members caring for the goats.