Final Goat Update - 155 Goats Delivered !

After 7 trips to the goat market where many of the goat sellers actually knew us by name, we purchased and distributed a grand total of 155 goats.

Here are some of the highlights of the goat market

Peterborough Connection

•  Seeing one of the goat sellers wearing a Peterborough Lakers lacrosse t-shirt. I grew up in Peterborough which has a population of about 75,000 so of course I had to take a photo with this guy
• The view of the Virunga mountains in the background (where the Rwandan Patriotic Front army (the good guys) regrouped and re-launched their efforts to achieve peace) made the entire thing surreal
• Sitting in the back of the truck with the goats as we drove the 20 minutes from the market to the school – I waved to everyone as though I was royalty riding a goat float..and of course many of them smiled and waved back

• 

  Rwanda's newest goat herder

  Dal trying to hold the ropes and maintain 5 goats…unsuccessfully
• Talking to the people who would inevitably crowd around me…..soccer/football was the easiest thing to discuss as ‘Man U’ ,‘World Cup’ and ‘Drogba’ need no translation







Ticket from Police



• Getting a ticket by the police on the 7^th and  final trip back home…because it’s apparently illegal to have people AND goats in the back of the truck together. You can have one or the other..not both. The fine was 10,000 RWF..about $17. And because Rwanda is a country that firm against corruption, we weren’t able to negotiate the ticket.

For us, the real highlight was being able to give the goats and see the emotions of the people we were able to help. We’re so thrilled to have been part of this project and we’re very grateful for the immense generosity of our friends and family and those we’ve never met that helped. On our last day, we received an official letter from the regional government executive secretary formally thanking us and our friends for helping the region. We’ll scan it and add it to the blog when we get a chance.

Thank you.

No..Thank YOU !

Group photo

*** BONUS BONUS BONUS ***

Teste was able to negotiate so well with the goat vendors (bulk purchasing power baby !) that we had about $1200 left over ! We’ve allocated the extra money as follows :

·    $200 went to 10 care packages for needy families (consisting of cooking oil, sugar, salt, 2Kg of meat, tomato paste, soap, a plastic basin and a blanket)

·    $150 went towards a roof, doors and windows for a family building a house near the school. They’re a very hardworking couple with a beautiful child and we were happy to help them accomplish their dream of completing their build

·    $75 went towards new boda-bodas (slippers) for the street kids who we play soccer with and feed on Saturdays

·    $500 went towards obtaining land across the street from the preschool so that Cathy and Teste can now build a primary school

·     $20 covered a care package for Mama Benita who invited us over to her house on the last day and is a fantastic mom to two of the nicest kids you’ll ever meet

·     $100 went towards the passport application fee for Ron – read Dal’s post on Ron to find out why we felt strongly about this

·     $200 for Cathy to use on any project she sees fit

Assembling the care packages

The house which will be getting a new roof, windows and door soon. As a sign of gratitude, they gave us their first born.

Mama Benita, Benita and Confiance. Just wonderful kids.

A photo in front of the new land Cathy's purchased to build a primary school.

Can't wait to see you in Canada, Ron !

Additionally, we’re using some of our business skills to help create a powerpoint deck that Cathy can use to promote PREFER to potential volunteers or contributors.

So there you have it. Sept 2010 has undoubtedly been the most productive month of our lives and we really proud of our achievements here. We’ve been called angels by a few of the goat recipients which is incredibly humbling. But the reality is that we are the lucky ones to have been experience such an incredible country and to have spent time with Cathy and Teste who perform saintly miracles daily to help improve the community (http://www.prefercanada.org/) . We would wholeheartedly recommend this experience for anyone looking to volunteer between 2-4 weeks and help make small, sustainable differences in the lives of others.

- DP