Project Launch: 5-17-18

The Shuza community is located in the Mabanda commune in the south of Burundi, on the border with Tanzania. There are 1,855 residents across 350 households. Given the hilly topography, it is very hard for community members to reach the main road leading to geographic isolation. The community is quite vulnerable due to it's lack of clean water and health centers. Residents must also travel great distances to the nearest market. Shuza residents voted for a cow-rearing project to increase food security and household income for its residents. Residents will purchase eight or nine cows – including a bull - using a microgrant of US$6,000, which will also provide start-up capital for a village savings fund. The community will build multiple cattle pens across the village, and take collective responsibility for feeding, treating and guarding the cows. In the short-term, the cows’ milk will supplement families’ diets, with manure fertilizing local crops. In the future, the village will develop an additional income stream by selling milk, manure, and calves to neighbors.