Concerning Cattle

I believe there is a time in every burgeoning blogger’s career when he/she must apologize to those loyal followers out there (however few of you…) for inexcusable negligence of this precious space. Nothing much has happen, although I am happy to announce that I think all the food that I ate at Lalahe’s two weeks ago has finally digested.

In all of this week’s regularity, there is at least one thing that is worthy of exuberant praise…

After our visit to Lalahe’s village, a few of us recognized the desperate need for Lalahe’s family to have cattle. Cattle are both the livelihood of the Maasai and they can perform daily tasks (such as harvesting) that other livestock simply can’t.

Many of you may be familiar with Heifer International. They do a lot of great work in small communities here and around the world that I greatly admire. Several of us, including myself, have gone to the Heifer International office in Arusha to ask for help for Lalahe’s village, but they only provide case-by-case assistance to registered organizations, which we are not (…yet). Therefore, we took things into our own hands.

Right now is the prime time to buy cattle. With lush grass thanks to the abundant rains this year, there should be plenty of vegetation until October or November. Cattle prices are not too high and the animals will fatten up, reproduce, and become much more valuable through the coming months. Before the dry season, the family could sell several of the cattle (at a higher price) in order to have some savings during the most difficult part of the year.

Thanks to our wonderful families, a small group of us raised enough money in ONE week for Lalahe to buy ten cattle, plus a supply of medicine to keep them healthy. Lalahe is overwhelmed with joy, and he will be going to buy the cattle next week!

What is even more exciting is what can happen now that Lalahe and his family will have food security in the near future. Under the leadership of Lalahe and his brilliant and progressive thinking, there are several plans that are currently in the works, with the guidance of local non-profit organizations. Once we have the plans more solidified, I will definitely post more about the project!

I am headed back to Lalahe’s village this weekend with seven others… we are hiking through the bush in hopes of seeing giraffes and zebras! I hope to come back in one piece.