Son travels to Rwanda to see cow his late dad gave family 11 years ago
Colm Doyle feeds the heifer in Rwanda A FARMER has travelled more than 10,000km to be reunited with a cow his father gave to an African family over a decade ago.
Colm Doyle, from Moate Co Westmeath, visited Rwanda in central Africa to see how a heifer his father Jimmy donated transformed the lives of one family.
The animal is part of a large herd sent by aid group Bothar.
Each year, the agency returns to re-impregnate female cows, with each recipient family passing on the first born female calf to a neighbour.
Before receiving a heifer, each family has six months animal husbandry training.
Mr Doyle said: “It was quite an experience, seeing the heifer and all she’s done. She’s had nine calves, five female and four male. Her first female calf would have been passed on so there’s another family who are benefiting.
“That heifer, too, would have most likely had a female calf and that would have been passed on. So the gift keeps on giving.
“It’s obvious the farmer is really treating her well. She’s in fantastic condition. She’s 12 years old, in fine fettle and there’s no reason why she can’t continue.
“You couldn’t but be content and Colm meets farmer who benefited from programme happy that you gave the donation and it makes you want to do more in the future. My father would be very proud.”
Speaking through an interpreter, Mpayimana Johanna spoke of his delight at being able to meet the son of an Irishman who transformed his life.
He said: “When the cow came in 2008 the first thing was the milk for consumption and the second was I could buy a motorcycle to transport milk.
“The third thing was I could buy land. I even had money for the school fees.”