The cow project

The project requires that the families invest in their farms by building a zero-grazing shed for the cow, planting sufficient grass to feed a cow, and implementing sanitation requirements for the family and the cow, to keep the cow in top health.  Once all eligibility requirements are met, the family is granted a living loan of a pregnant cow, valued at $800.  Once the calf is born, a cow gives around 20 liters of milk a day.  The family uses about two liters for their own nutritional needs and sells the remainder to the Caritas MADDO Dairy, which provides the family a small but steady income. The loan is paid back by raising the calf for 9 to 12 months, and then passing along that calf to another family that is trained and ready.

As an additional living loan, the family may pass along a future calf in exchange for installing a biofuel system on their farm.  The biofuel made from the waste products of the cow and produces clean and Earth-friendly methane which is used for cooking and lighting.  The remains from the bio-fuel are then used for fertilizer for the banana trees, which are the main food in Uganda.  Biofuel saves time and money, especially for the women who tend to be the ones preparing meals.  Firewood, which is scarce, can take 1 to 2 hours daily to gather, and adds another 45 to 60 minutes of time to cooking any meal.

Although the Cow Project is self-sustaining, there are still 2,000 families trained and waiting for a cow to begin their journey out of poverty!  Purchase a cow and be an integral part of this transformative process helping the rural poor in Uganda.