Goats like this can fetch up to 11,000 nrs each

Mary, Elton and Talia who donated money for the project

Looking after goats is second nature to villagers

GOAT FARMING AND TEACHER FUNDING - CURRENT PROJECT 2009/2010

Estimated Project Cost: US$ 2,000

Aim: With 500 students spread over two schools, an upper and a lower, there is a need for more teachers in the village. Currently the schools need an additional 7 teachers to be able to properly manage the number of children. The Nepal Government has turned down request for ongoing funding for teachers. We propose to provide a herd of goats for the villagers so that they can set up a sustainable business that can provide funds to pay for teachers salaries.

In this case we think that donating money to the schools is only a short term solution. We believe that a better long term solution would be to set up some form of ongoing funding for teachers for the school. With a strong belief in creating self sufficiently in the villagers, at A Simple Thing, we believe by supplying the villagers with a sustainable herd of goats, that they can themselves manage and sell the goats to be able to pay for school teachers.

The village has good grazing land for goats and is in close access to the main market place and road to Kathmandu for sale of the goats. If we can provide a herd that can be able to produce four to six goats for sale (meat purposes) per month then that will be adequate to fund teachers. We also hope that on seeing the villager’s efforts, the government will also subsidise the teachers wages. There is also the future possibility, when the village has a good water supply to produce valuable goats milk and cheese. There is a slowly growing market for these products in Kathmandu.

For the project to be a success, we first need to gain the cooperation of the villagers and nominate a committee and rotator for tending the goats, plus we need a strong committee to manage the funds and money raised from goat sales. Also we need to build suitable shelter for the animals.

We are currently sourcing some goats and researching which goats are most suitable for the area and meat production with solid healthy and high birthing rates and looking into the vetinary needs of a herd of goats and the costs involved.

So far 34, 000 NRS has been raised by Mary, Elton and Talia and their friends from New Zealand for the establishment of the project. And we have had various donations to purchase goats from other people as well.

For a project up date click here.