In the winter of 1997-1998, the southern part of Somalia was a land under water. Torrential rains that began in October and didn't end until January caused the deaths of more than 2,000 people, destroyed 150,000 acres of crops, and drowned thousands of livestock. Put on hold were various projects of the American Friends Service Committee's Somalia Program, which has been active in the country since the early 1980s. One new effort that had to wait until the flood waters receded was a dairy cow project meant to help women lift themselves out of poverty. Now, amid great expectations, that project is finally getting underway.
Feed is naturally available and they can sell different products from the same cow.
This project is their top priority. Many Somali women find themselves in particularly difficult circumstances. In the past decade, many men have been killed or forced to flee the country because of violent civil conflict. As a result, a large number of women are single heads of households. For these women, dairy cows are a way to generate income and help feed families.