What makes us different

Started by a group of Christian farmers, we’ve always had farming and faith at our heart. We’re proud that some of our founders are still working with us today, helping families in Africa, farmer to farmer.

This knowledge and experience has stood us in good stead, helping us grow into the practical, innovative charity we are today, and enabling African families to become healthier, wealthier and happier.

Passing on the gifts

Sharing knowledge and skills is a truly unique and wonderful aspect of our work. Each farmer that receives training, seeds or livestock from Send a Cow is asked to pass on the benefits to another needy family in the community. This 'Pass it On principle' not only builds stronger communities, it allows us to help even more people to develop skills, confidence and self respect. People are happier and healthier, children are educated, homes are improved and communities are more harmonious.

Pass on ceremonies bring whole communities together to see first born calves, sheep, donkeys, seedlings or even training passed on in emotional ceremonies. It’s a truly inspiring event, when very poor beneficiaries themselves become donors, transforming their self-esteem and the community’s perception of them.

Specialists, getting truly special results

Our work gets astonishing results because we don’t just provide isolated pockets of help and support to African farmers; our experts give advice across the board, from agricultural training to environmental sustainability, from livestock care to social development.

And this is no ‘off the shelf’ solution. Working carefully with each farmer, we identify a package of help and support that meets their needs perfectly and which can be adapted to meet the needs of different people, whether that’s young orphans heading up the home, disabled people or elderly widows for example.

Hand in hand, for as long as it takes

Importantly, we support and share a family’s journey out of poverty for as long as it takes – typically five years. By that time, knowledge, skills, materials, hope and dignity have been passed on and on between even more families so that whole communities are transformed.