Benjamine Mukakajuga, age 38, is a widow with six children, four of them are orphans. She is HIV/AIDS positive. Her Jersey cow, received in June 2002, produces 5.5 gallons of milk per day. The positive effects that rippled out of this one cow led Benjamine to name her cow "Imaragahinda" which means "Brought out of Grief" in Kenyarwanda. From the benefits this cow has produced, she has purhased another cow, constructed a water reservoir tank for the provision of drinking water for the family, and renovated her cow shed and house. Also from the sales of her milk, she began to purchase parcels of land for pasture and vegetable crops. She has an impressive wheat field that is uncommon in the region where she lives. "All of this that you see -- pointing to 14 acres of glowing gold wheat and jutting green crops -- was acquired because of that one cow. Before this, I had no land." said Benjamine. She stops to show us long tree poles, which she acquired from the nearby forest that she will use for producing her second cow shed. Money to pay for the labor, and the materials used to cut the wood, all came from her milk sales. She is also particularly focused on her sweet potatoes, a great source of vitamin A, which is very important for someone who is HIV-positive. Further benefits include the purchase of health insurance and acquired school fees for her children.

 

Benjamine says: "My cow is my life. It took away my grief. I drink milk everyday. All the work around me is because of my cow. With the cow, I can afford to hire people to help me and care for my well being. In brief, my cow is my life!"

 

"I would not be alive without this cow. This cow is my husband. It preoccupies my life and I am happy for it."

 

Benjamine is a focus of an article in the Nov/Dec 2007 issue of World Ark on Heifer Rwanda.

 

Heifer Project International - Rwanda

July / August 2007

Muhazi Women's Dairy and Horticulture Development Project

Gicumbi District, Rwanda

 

Photo by Geoff Oliver Bugbee, courtesy of Heifer International