Category: Burundi

We have been looking at an initiative in Burundi to help transform communities through milk production. How does this work? Processing Once the milk arrives in the city it is received by yet another team of young men who are employed to boil it. This kills potentially dangerous bacteria, particularly tuberculosis. Once boiled, the milk is sold at ‘rock bottom' prices, either direct or to sellers. Some of these sellers take it into the slums which achieves the further benefit of making nutritious milk available for those in poverty, particularly children. Expansion This is a very exciting model! Not only does the business run at a profit but there are many social and ecological benefits health employment education improved soil which can be used for other crops But this business…

Useless cows In Burundi it is widely seen that the number of cattle a family owns brings prestige and status. The reality is very different; they foster poverty. Evariste Ndayirukiye, who had previously worked with Donna Bloomfield in the Kings School, had analysed the situation in his home village and had come to the conclusion that the popular long horned cow was useless! Not only did it give a very low milk yield but it overgrazed the land, leading to degradation and erosion, and was the cause of many children missing school as they followed the herd into the hills. The solution was both simple and revolutionary. A revolutionary idea To impact the community Evariste started what would be called a Social Enterprise in more developed countries. By importing Friesian…