200 GET GOATS IN KALUMBILA
SKILLSHARE Governance Support Foundation (SGSF), has donated 200 goats to 200 households in Chief Matebo’s area of Kalumbila.
This is under the US$ 40,000 project funded by the GEF Small Grants Programme in conjunction with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)
The one year project aims at Strengthening Management Effectiveness and Generating Multiple Environmental benefits in Kalumbila among the local population by way of introducing better livelihood mechanisms as opposed to surviving on means that deplete nature.
Speaking during the handover ceremony at Old Matebo Village, local village headman Mr Noah Mujilo thanked the UNDP and SkillShare Governance Support Foundation for fulfilling the promise of empowering the community with goats.
He said it was the first time that a donor was implementing such a project in that area and also thanked the government for providing an enabling environment for NGOs to operate in the area.
SGSF Chief Technical Advisor Charles Mushitu urged the recipients of goats to ensure that they looked after their animals well so that they give birth to more goats.
He advised them not to sell or slaughter the goats as doing so would defeat the whole purpose of empowering them with goats.
This is contained in a statement issued by SGSF Technical Advisor – Governance and Management Relations Niza Mushitu yesterday.
SGSF is a civil society organisation whose aim is to uplift the welfare of the under privileged in different spheres of the society.
“I urge you not to resort to selling these goats when you are faced with challenges. You can only sell some after sometime when you have many goats, especially male goats and this should be done only you have pressing problems such as sending children to school,” he said.
There was wild jubilation in the community when the goats arrived in the village as the beneficiaries danced and sang songs thanking Government and the UNDP for taking care of their plight.
One of the beneficiaries, a Mr Mulemena said he did not expect to rear goats in his life because he has had no means of doing so. “With this goat I have received I am now assured of having many goats and eventually become a big farmer in the area,” he said.
Each household received a She Goat under Phase One which is ending in February 2019. Under Phase Two starting in March 2019, each household will receive an additional one goat.
Prior to receiving the goats all beneficiaries underwent a goat rearing training conducted by the Veterinary Department in the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock.