The Goat Project

The Goat Project — another way FACES is helping patients live healthier lives, through income generating activities.

Samba Women's Group – engaged in the Goat Project

The goat project is one income generating project initiated among 3 patient support groups. Initially 2 women's groups in Suba District were donated goats as part of this project. The 3rd women's group received their goats in Migori District. The goats provide very nutritious milk, and by using a purebred Saanen buck for breeding, the offspring have higher milk yield which can provide enough for family consumption and sale. The group can also generate income through stud fees from the buck.

The project launched in May 2008 with 20 local female goats and 2 purebred Saanen bucks generously donated by Marie MacKay. The goats were divided between the Samba Women's Group in Magunga and Tangendendi Women's Group in Sindo, Suba District. The 3rd women's group at Macalder Health Centre, Migori District were donated 1 buck and 10 goats on the 28th of April 2009.

Goat Each group builds their own structures for the animals and then receives three days of training on goat care, feeding, treatment, pregnancy, the importance of goat milk, and other advantages of goat ownership and breeding. The Migori Women’s Support Group at Macalder built their structure and was trained in March 2009 by the Livestock Officer, Veterinary Officer, and the Officer of Culture and Social Affairs.

Each women's group maintains a high quality purebred buck which stays in one place. Then different female goats are brought to the buck for approximately one week at a time for breeding. Five offspring (three in Magunga and two in Sindo) have been born since the project started. The new offspring are given to other support group members. The groups are responsible for the care and feeding of the goats, and a FACES Clinic and Community Health Assistant (CCHA) visits the groups every month to oversee the project and provide support as needed. In order to participate in this project, a group must have both a small farm and a shelter for the buck approved by the District Livestock Officer.

Suba Goat Project Images

Future plans include adding more local goats and introducing this project to other support groups in Suba and Migori Districts. Expansion is already reaching a women's group at Macalder Health Centre in Migori District. The women are currently building their shelter structure. They will be trained mid-March and then receive 1 buck and 15 female goats, again courtesy of Marie Mackay.

Goat Additional donors are needed to help expand the project. One high quality buck is 15,000 Kenyan shillings (approximately $200 U.S.). If you would like to donate a buck, a female goat, or contribute toward a goat donation, please contact:

Alan Beach
Email: Abeach@ari.ucsf.edu
Phone: 1.415.597.4982