A gift of a cow really does change lives
My name is Teodoro Lemus and I live in the community of La Cumbre Palmichal, Santa Bárbara, Honduras.
I am originally from the Department of Lempira and I had to emigrate because we did not have access to land, and having ten children we needed some land to grow at least corn.
It was a good decision to make since, even with great effort and sacrifices, I was able to buy some land and we can grow basic grains and coffee, even so the price for these products was fluctuating in the market place and we were not doing very well.
When the heifer project sponsored by Bóthar was started in our area I applied to take part in it and receive a dairy heifer. We gathered in a group in the community to receive training in pasture establishment and management. I quickly realised that I was not using my land appropriately, I used to think that the pasture did not require any care, that it was something natural but during my training I was shown how to look after it properly so that it would flourish. I also received training in animal sanitation, nutrition and management.
Once I had completed all of my training and built a housing unit I was able to receive my cow. I never thought I could own a cow, and less, to be able to care for one efficiently to obtain the best performance.
I am 65 years old and I have learned a lot. Many important things come to my mind now and if I could have learned all this before, my family and I would have had a better life then, because having a cow is the most beautiful thing that has happened to us since we have food available for the family. Through this Project, it has been possible to integrate my family, and I even tell my children that if they do not bring the pasture they will not have their milk in the mornings. We all enjoy doing this work.
I am ready to pass-on-the-gift of the first female calf that my cow had to another family, I have the cow and a heifer and we are expecting another birth, and everything thanks to all the people at Bóthar and Heifer Honduras that make our dreams come true.
God bless you all and your families.
|
