EMS Program and Goats for Widows!

After hearing from Dr. Peter Waiswa in Iganga Hospital, we know that our EMS Program has great potential to work. The WHO and the Ministry of Health are all on Board, so our next obstacle to tackle is funding.

As a part of that goal, we are hoping to work with Rotary International to get a grant for start up funding, and ambulance costs. Yesterday, we had the privilege of meeting with Iganga Rotary Club, who agreed to form a partnership with the Rotary clubs with which we have worked in the United States. HOORAY! We're moving forward...

This morning, we're meeting the Rotary's Baby Home, a place where orphaned babies are cared for. We will be gifting a goat to them, and asking them to gift the 2nd and 4th offpsring to other orphanages in the community. Similarly, we will be providing goats to widows and orphans in Kalalu Parish. We meet with these women today and will learn about their stories.

We had originally planned on giving 20 widows goats. However, once we were here, we learned about the different types of goats. The goats that cost $35 produce very little milk. Because our goal is to improve nutrition, we will be buying the milk-producing goats called sanninis. These goats produce between 2-3 Liters of milk per day. They are also very expensive - around $90 per goat. We also want to ensure that gifting a goat to a widow or orphanage doesn't increase expenses. Thus, we also fund for the building of a goat shed, medicine, veterinary visits, and the planting of special food (which keeps the goat healthy) for 1 year. This is an additionaly $60 for each goat. However, by keeping the goats health, we should see baby goats within 9 months of when they are given. Each widow agrees, as part of the program, to give the 1st and 3rd kids to other widows in the community, who agree to do the same. Thus, while we will be able to provide on 5 or 6 goats this year, it will multiply quickly! We are excited to be helping so many people, in a long-lasting, sustainable way.