With there being such a high proportion of orphaned and vulnerable children in the area, these disadvantaged youngsters are often forced to leave education before reaching their potential due to financial pressure. The staff at Kodumela identified ten boys, aged between nine and fifteen, who could benefit from the goats in a better way.
Staff arranged for a section of their grounds to be converted to a goat yard, with shelter and fencing, within the security of the compound and the nightwatchman. Then they set up a training scheme for the ten boys, on a rota basis, to learn to care for the goats and be trained in goat-rearing. This way they stay in full time education and ‘graduate’ from the scheme with 5 goats each, that they have helped to rear. These goats can then either be sold for uniform fees, books etc. or provide food and milk or better still, be used to set up a breeding project utilising the training already given.
The boys take turns before and after school to complete their ‘shift’ in taking the goats to pasture, ensuring the shelter and water is provided, checking the health and progress of the goats and their kids(There are already six kids!). This project was further enhanced by introducing a new breed of goat with a higher milk yield, making them even more valuable to the boys.
