Orphaned and vulnerable children in Uganda face a brighter future thanks to a Christmas gift of cows

Send a Cow Uganda (SACU) has received a donation of 10 cows from Coca-Cola following the application for a grant. SACU will use these cows to greatly improve the livelihoods of orphaned and vulnerable children in the Kasaali, Kabira and Lwanda Sub Counties in Rakai District, where the HIV/AIDS pandemic has devastated the community.

Cows provide more than just milk to poverty-stricken children, their manure allows for greater crop fertilisation, their produce brings nutritional and health benefits and the ownership of a cow offers families some sense of financial stability and security against future times of famine.

Esther Ssempebewa, an official based at SACU commented, “These cows will greatly change the future for the child-headed families and give them renewed hope for a brighter future. Children who have lost their parents suffer enormously and a cow provides a complete factory for their lives. It not only represents a cup of milk, they can also sell any surplus for income too. It’s a truly wonderful Christmas present.”

SACU has been working in the Rakai district since 2001 bringing hope to children and families through the donation of livestock, training in sustainable organic agriculture and building self-esteem and family values by working through extension staff and acting as mentors to the orphans. Currently SACU cares for over 122 child-headed families in Rakai.

Maureen Kyomuhendo, The Coca-Cola Uganda Marketing Manager stated, “When SACU approached us for help, especially at this time of the festive season, we agreed to help build the capacity for these orphaned children so that they can have an income for themselves and give them greater reason to live.”