Luncheon

Pauline and Tony Raine will be updating us on the progress of the charity since they last spoke to the Club in 2013.

Send a Cow started over 25 years ago in Devon, following a plea from the Bishop of Uganda.  Originally, real cows were sent to Africa to try and improve the milk yields.  Local cows gave only 3-4 litres per day but European cows gave about 20 litres per day.

The risk of disease means that real cattle are no longer sent but bull semen is, together with various seeds. Individual farmers are chosen and are taught animal husbandry (including growing fodder) and also how to grow other crops.This provides food for the cattle and also the farmer and his family.  This helps lift the recipients from being mere subsistence farmers to a level where they could sell excess vegetables and so afford education for their children, etc.

Great emphasis is placed on the education of the farmers and "graduation", when they receive a certificate, is a great day.  When farmers are given a cow, it is always in calf and one of the stipulations is that the first cow born must be given to another farmer, so the process spreads.  A very worthwhile charity.

For more details on the charity please click here.