5 minute read
Charity Focus
Send a Cow
Combatting poverty through growing solutions
Advertisement
Send a Cow was set up by a group of Christian dairy farmers from the West Country in 1988. Outraged at EU milk quotas, which were forcing them to slaughter healthy dairy cows, and in response to an appeal from Uganda for milk, they met round the table in a Lapford farmhouse kitchen and embarked on a project, which was set to become an innovative and practical charity.
Uganda was just emerging from a long civil war. Communities and their farmland had been destroyed and much of the country’s livestock wiped out. Several of the UK farmers flew to Africa to investigate how they could help. After meeting Ugandan farmers and a livestock expert, they saw how smallholder dairy farming in Africa could work.They returned to the UK determined to help, and sent cows from their own herds to Uganda. Send a Cow was born.
Every day, families face poverty that is extreme, cruel, and worst of all – unnecessary. But rural Africa is rich with opportunity and where there is land, there is hope. Send a Cow doesn’t impose solutions, we help grow them from within. That’s why they work. Families get back the skills and confidence they need to get the most from their land. They can grow enough food, earn a living and go after their dreams. And because they pass on what they know, success quickly multiplies, from family to family, community to community, generation to generation. We work across six African countries – Uganda, Kenya, Ethiopia, Rwanda, Burundi and Zambia. We work with smallholder farmers of whom 65% are women, often widows caring for orphaned grandchildren. We also work with other marginalised groups like disabled people and those with HIV/ AIDS.
Our focus on gender and social inclusion means that women are supported to raise their aspirations beyond subsistence farming. We help husbands and wives work out how best to share the workload and decision-making to achieve their vision. We teach them the organic agricultural principles and skills they need to integrate these into a sustainable, biodiverse farm – without expensive artificial fertilisers or GM seeds. Techniques such as water harvesting, composting, vegetable growing, tree planting and animal husbandry are easily adaptable to each farmer’s own land. As farmers start producing enough food to feed their families and sell a surplus, their confidence and self-esteem are boosted. By the time our projects end, families are feeding their families and selling surplus crops. Their income increases sixfold enabling them to pay for their basic needs: education, better housing and healthcare. They are no longer just surviving, but thriving.
Once families are eating well and earning enough to send their children to school, we encourage them to think bigger. They learn money management and enterprise skills so they can access savings and credit services. They discover how best to add value to their produce, start small businesses and
Our unique home enabling service is fl exible and dementia-friendly. Home-cooked meals, country walks, household admin – and much more… We provide a personalised package of support, helping you or a loved one continue to live safely, independently and happily at home.
Call Claire to discuss your needs 0800 043 1080
www.friendlyfacesuk.co.uk
may form co-operatives. Our low-input, high achieving approach means that our programmes cost as little as £30 a year. We focus on training; ensuring families have the skills they need to grow food and earn an income. Where necessary, we also provide locally bought seeds, tools and livestock.
Send a Cow Patron, Bishop Ruth of Taunton, writes: ‘Harvest is a time when we traditionally celebrate the abundant blessings of God and the hard work of our farmers locally. This is also an opportunity to both celebrate the work of farmers worldwide and to pledge to support them as neighbours whose livelihoods are affected by the climate crisis. This autumn, let’s stand in solidarity with families like Grace’s (pictured). With your donations, we can show them they’re not facing the climate crisis alone. By holding a Harvest celebration for Send a Cow you will help families like Grace’s to adapt and grow their resilience, so that when the next drought or flood comes, they can still grow enough food to eat and send their children to school.’ started with Send a Cow will enable me to use my farm so that we no longer go hungry.’
Grace is a widow with eight children, living in rural Migori, Kenya, who struggles to feed her family. Without a good harvest Grace cannot feed her family a nutritious diet or send her children to school. Grace has recently started to work alongside Send a Cow and is hopeful for a brighter future. With your support this Harvest, women like Grace could learn new techniques to help protect their land from the effects of the climate crisis. Grace said: ‘My hope is that my life will change for the better. I believe that this journey I have
£105 could provide training for 6 families in soil conservation techniques such as composting, helping them to grow more and stand up to extreme weather. You can find all the resources you need to help make your celebration run smoothly at sendacow.org/harvest. Jenny Reynolds Local Send a Cow ambassador Jenny Reynolds is available to give more information and talks to any EDSTONE group, church or school who would like to learn more about the charity. ALBERY & REDSTONE Contact Jenny on 01837 861678. Email jenneo78@gmail.com Funeral Directors Established 1850
ALBERY & REDSTONE Funeral Directors
Established 1850
ALBERY & REDSTONE
Funeral Directors Established 1850 Independent Funeral Directors Established for Five Generations Okehampton’s only independent funeral service
Traditional and alternative arrangements tailored to your individual requirements 24 Hour personal care of David Albery, Funeral Director • Pre-payment funeral plans available
