Today we met with one of the associations in Kigeme called KORANUMURABA. They are an agriculture group we meet with every year and are part of the Food Security Program at the Kigeme Site.
We had a lovely time with them. They are doing very well. Their membership is up and they have more money saved in the bank than last year.
In talking to them, we found them to be a very cohesive group - more like a family than an association. They are always looking out for one another and helping their members in times of trouble. They have ensured that, with their savings, that every member of the association and their families have access to health insurance. They have also helped with the weddings of 6 members.
They are still struggling with finding land to grow their crops and also are faced with the lack of a bull or artificial insemination in the area in order to increase the number and the genetic potential of their cows. But, they are striving to increase their savings to help with their challenges.
Overall a wonderful group who consistently grow and improve every year we meet them!! Well done KORANUMURABA!!
We had a lovely time with them. They are doing very well. Their membership is up and they have more money saved in the bank than last year.
In talking to them, we found them to be a very cohesive group - more like a family than an association. They are always looking out for one another and helping their members in times of trouble. They have ensured that, with their savings, that every member of the association and their families have access to health insurance. They have also helped with the weddings of 6 members.
They are still struggling with finding land to grow their crops and also are faced with the lack of a bull or artificial insemination in the area in order to increase the number and the genetic potential of their cows. But, they are striving to increase their savings to help with their challenges.
Overall a wonderful group who consistently grow and improve every year we meet them!! Well done KORANUMURABA!!
Afternoon Surgery!
This afternoon we traveled to a farm outside of Gasarenda town to do a surgery on a cow! The cow had eaten some inappropriate things and so a rumenotomy (cutting into the cow's rumen - one of its four stomachs) had to be performed to retrieve the foreign objects. Dr Felicien and Dr Rachael were doing the surgery. But, it started to pour rain just as they were starting the surgery. After some quick thinking by the farmer and his family, we rigged up a makeshift shelter to protect the cow and surgeons! They still got pretty wet and cold! Rachael has still not warmed up several hours after finishing the procedure. We found lots of string and small pieces of rope in the patient's rumen. The cow did well through the procedure and her calf was relieved to have her back to get dinner from her!! It was an interesting afternoon and Rachael had fun helping with the surgery!
Tomorrow we start early to go to another Food Security Site - Bugarama. This site is about 1.5 hours from Kigeme on those wonderful Rwandan roads!! Stay tuned for more!!
Tomorrow we start early to go to another Food Security Site - Bugarama. This site is about 1.5 hours from Kigeme on those wonderful Rwandan roads!! Stay tuned for more!!