We are here in Mbarara, we arrived on Thursday. It is so GREAT to be back. The organization is doing very well from what we have seen so far. They have expanded the project into 5 more parishes, and just had a goat distribution day before we arrived. They gave out approx. 44 goats evenly distributed amongst the new parishes. There are a lot of new workers at FAOC!! They are fantastic. We really enjoy Shamim, Vivian, Alice and Vincent (the newer members). Vincent really reminds me of a friend of ours at home, Rene. He is cheeky like Rene and always has a comment. The past few days we fixed the car up, and went out to the field. I attended a goat training session for the new parish, Rutsya, and went to treat a sick goat. Yesterday we were out in the field monitoring beneficiaries and giving them advice on taking care of their goats. It was so great: the smells of the fruits and the warm climate are so comforting and relaxing. And the company is so great: we saw Ibrahim, a paravet as well and it was great to catch up with him. We also had the opportunity to see his garden (he is growing onions, cabbages and even watermelon, which is not commonly grown in the area) and meet his wife. I believe they are both HIV positive, but are on anti-retrovirals and are doing great in terms of their businesses (she sews and Ibrahim is a digger/goat farmer). They are beneficiaries of FAOC and Ibrahim is extremely knowledgeable about farming practices. He is a para-vet, one of the people who we trained to move around the parishes and help people who have sick goats (for a small fee as well for their time and the drugs they use). He was with us when we where visiting the beneficiaries: there were some pests on a cauliflower plant and he advised the woman how to make a herbal spray that will kill the pests. It is organic and a very cheap method of eliminating the pests!!!
Today we are attending an event for youth in the Kaberebere town. People are coming from the area to showcase their talents and of course we will have lots of speeches for them. I am also attending a goat training at a new parish.
That's it for now!
Ibrahim's wife and son.
Vincent, me (and a cabbage from Ibrahim's garden) and Ibrahim
A beneficiary in the new parish, Kinyanji. Her goat just gave birth, then the mother passed away, leaving an orphaned kid behind.
Shamim and Ibrahim with the orphaned kid
Myself and Joseph on the FAOC motorbike cruising thru the parishes.
Ibrahim's wife and son.
Vincent, me (and a cabbage from Ibrahim's garden) and Ibrahim
A beneficiary in the new parish, Kinyanji. Her goat just gave birth, then the mother passed away, leaving an orphaned kid behind.
Shamim and Ibrahim with the orphaned kid
Myself and Joseph on the FAOC motorbike cruising thru the parishes.
Really?? 5 new parishes? Crazy! So great that they are able to help so many people. And I can't believe how many new employees there are even since I left!
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