Building a future based on past success

Walungu has a centuries-old pastoral tradition, which the people are eager to resurrect. Local Representative Guillaume Kahomboshi Chibanvunya initially came to NABUUR looking for guidance to launch a dairy farming project.

“Surely there is a lot of information available,” he said. “Walungu will learn a lot from what the other villages have been doing adapting to this environment.”

Facilitator Sonja Marjanovic from Bosnia Herzegovina invited two longtime Neighbours to share their experiences with dairy farming in other villages. Raul Alberto Caceres, Facilitator of Menengai, Kenya, and Praveen Ohal, Local Representative for Khunti, India, provided extensive information on lessons learned raising cows in those communities.

“Their experience was extremely important for Walungu,” Sonja said. “They made us realize the importance of community empowerment, community involvement and unity within the group.”

Ken Hargesheimer from the U.S. also shared his agricultural expertise, and he sent seeds and instructional videos in French to help the people of Walungu get started with their project. Tanja from Hong Kong also arranged to have manuals on goat keeping sent from South Africa.

Choosing the best breeds to raise

The Bashi people of Walungu have always been farmers. Wealth is measured in cattle, so even the poorest families usually had at least one cow. Chickens and ducks are also common, although Bashi culture forbids women to participate in poultry farming.

Initially, the community planned to raise cows, but concerns were raised about whether they could keep the cows safe and healthy.

“There is the possibility that the cows will become sick or be looted,” Sonja said. “We have solved this problem by deciding to raise goats first. Cows can be introduced later on, after the community proves their interest and capabilities to managing a smaller-scale project.”

The climate in Walungu is favorable to most types of livestock and feed. Neighbours researched hearty goat breeds that live in the region. The community plans to buy one or two goats and breed them with locally available animals to ensure adaptability.

Shared ownership builds commitment

To get the people fully invested in the project, Guillaume is asking each family to contribute toward a savings club, which will purchase the animals jointly. This model has worked well in other villages, including Menegai and Khunti.

“A Walungu family earns around 1$ per day,” Sonja says. “Guillaume will talk to the people to try to save 0.5$ per month per family. Thus 20 families together would have 10$ a month on their savings account.” A goat costs 30$. The community plans to sell some of the harvest in July and to invest money to buy goats.

Meanwhile, the community is building shelters for the animals using locally available materials, and planting trees to form a natural fence. They’re also setting up a learning farm. Emails have been sent to more than 50 organizations that provide training in goat keeping. Neighbour Scott from Australia is helping to design a graphic manual as another way to teach proper practices.

Rapid progress energizes community support

“I believe we are on a good track so far,” Sonja says. “This learning farm should be an excellent tool to see who is motivated and involved, and to get input from the villagers, which is crucial for the success of the project.”

“The people are lucky to have such a motivated and hard working Local Representative,” Sonja says. “Guillaume is doing an amazing job involving the community. His desire to help the people is truly inspiring.”