NGO donates cows to vulnerable families in Eastern Province

80 vulnerable families in the three districts of Kayonza, Rulindo and Rwamagana on Friday received cows from Send-a-Cow; a UK based charity organization.Some of the cows also came from the NGO`s first beneficiaries of the project.“We are now selling our products to educate our children. I am sure their future is bright since education is key to almost every thing,” said Mary Mugire, one of the original beneficiaries.Mugire, a resident of Rukara Sector, Kayonza district received a cow from the NGO in 2007. It has so far given birth four times and she says she gets 15 litres of milk per day.“You (beneficiaries) are today getting cows because we managed to take good care of ours,” Mugire said urging them to do the same.One of the beneficiaries in Rulindo district, Sarah Uwera, 30, said it was her first time to own a cow. “Apart from expecting to get milk, I also believe that I will be able to transform animal waste into fertilizers to use in my garden just like other farmers and this will increase my harvest,” Uwera said.Send-a-Cow Country Director, James Pimundu said that among others, more efforts will be put in training the population to build their capacity in animal husbandry.“We are planning to extend our services beyond the seven districts we are currently operating in, as a move towards benefiting more people,” Pimundu said. “We had planned to give out 1000 cows this year, but we have hit over and above the target, and I am sure that we will be able to give out more with time,” said Kayonza district Mayor, John Mugabo. He called on beneficiaries to fight against malnutrition urging that children or family members should have access to milk.