Polish Humanitarian Organisation supported Palestinian communities with income generating initiatives through animal husbandry.
In August 2006 PHO, in cooperation with Palestinian NGO-Shorouq, invited 18 women from agricultural areas of Al-Azariya region to participate in income generation project focused on animal husbandry. Shorouq employees had been previously trained by PHO on programme management in the context of income generating initiatives. In this way we ensured that the project would be totally implemented by the local community.
Each woman was given three pregnant sheep, one tup, and some fodder. They were provided with farmsteads within their households. They also took part in trainings on diary, hygiene and other skills related to production of groceries. We also put attention to make our female beneficiaries aware of their role in developing the local economy.
While implementing the project we cooperated closely with the Ministry of Agriculture. We also received much support from veterinary surgeons and agricultural engineers living in the area. Local partner organisation provided the beneficiaries with substantive support and marketing consulting.
In 2007 a new group of 17 women living in Bet Kahel town joined the project. This time they were trained on goat breeding. They received three pregnant she-goats and a billy-goat.
In the end of 2006, 15 Palestinian families started breeding the sheep. In December 25 lambs were born. They could be sold 6 months after for the average price of 250 USD. Such income would have a substantial impact on those families' economical situation. Additionally, sheep's milk may be used for production of other dairy products. Another result of the project was significant improvement of economical and social status of the families. They have permanent and significant income. Thanks to hygiene trainings their general state of health also got better.
Financial sources:
Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Poland
PHO own funds
Partners:
Shorouq Charitable Women's Society
[ Any views expressed in this article are those of the writer and not of Reuters. ]
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