CASE STUDY OVERLOAD!

Another busy time collecting case studies for the lessons learned project.

The highlight was a farmer who had been provided with a high milk yielding cow from another part of Ethiopia 3 years ago. The milk from this cow, sold through a co-operative group is now his main source of income. He now uses his small plot of land to grow fodder for the cow and its three offspring – 2 bulls (which he will sell for a good price when they reach the right age) and a calf who will also produce milk when older. He has been able to pay for his children to go to school – his 19 year old daughter is studying computers in Mekele. Before the cow he lived on the meagre crop his land produced and by selling cups of tea (a ‘business’ he has now abandoned!)

I am now beginning to feel overloaded with stories of people whose lives have been transformed for the better. You may also be getting tired of these upbeat blog posts!
So I am now trying to find out more about the downsides of life here – if for no other reason than to convince myself what I am sure is true – there are many more people who need the help the few I have met have so clearly benefited from.

Last night I was alone with Belayneh (who hosted me in Dire Dawa last week and is part of this project so that ideas between the two CAFOD supported projects from different parts of the Country can be exchanged). We went for an excellent Ethiopian meal, which he thought was very overpriced. It cost less than £3 for two. Another example of how a little of the money we give goes a very long way.