Animal Airlifts & Field Work Updates
ANIMAL AIRLIFTS
KOSOVO
August 2007
In early August Bóthar airlifted 65 in-calf dairy heifers to Pristina in Kosovo; this was Bóthar's twenty first airlift of dairy heifers to Kosovo since 2000.
ALBANIA
September 2007
In September Bóthar airlifted 65 in-calf dairy heifers to families in Albania who have been trained and were waiting to receive them. Bóthar has been working in Albania for 8 years.
RWANDA
September 2007
In late September an airlift of 70 in-calf dairy heifers was organised by the Moate Bóthar support group from Westmeath. All of the heifers for the airlift were donated by Bóthar supporters in Westmeath. Bóthar would like to say congratulations to all involved in this wonderful achievement.
FIELD WORK UPDATES
UKRAINE
For the first time Bóthar is involved in a project in the former Soviet Republic of Ukraine. The country’s farmers are just beginning to recover from the state run collectivisation system of the Soviet era and poverty is widespread amongst the peasants of the country. Most have no option but to migrate to the big industrial cities of the country or even abroad. In the Odessa Oblast (Region), near the Romanian and Moldovan border, Bóthar along with Heifer International Ukraine has co-operated with a local group called the Prydunavia Farmers Association, (PFA). Together, 27 local farming families have been targeted in addition to a local orphanage at Utkonosivka. Each family will receive 3 young pigs and one boar will be distributed per village for breeding purposes. The selling of pigs will help each family to raise an income and enable farmers provide a secure future for their children. The project will also provide a water boiler for the orphanage, a freezing chamber for storing meat, and working overalls for the children of the orphanage so as to encourage them to be actively involved in the project.
INDIA
Bóthar is continuing to support projects in India. In Uttaranchal State, Bóthar is partnering with Co-operative Outreach of India to assist 350 families. The aim is to distribute 100 goats, 200 flocks of chickens and 50 water buffalo to the families involved. Kitchen gardening will also be introduced and veterinary support will be provided. Before the distribution of animals the families will be instructed in improved animal management and ethno veterinary practices. In order to supplement their incomes improved vegetable production will also be demonstrated in trainings.
To ensure the smooth running of activities, project management will be incorporated into training. Women, who usually occupy the fringes of Indian society, will be catered for also with gender issues being elaborated upon in seminars.
|
