In Somalia, livestock, and sheep in particular, are at the center of daily life. They’re used for meat and milk, but also so much more – sheep can be used to buy necessary household items or even pay for a child’s education.
Wool can be sheered, bones and hooves can be used to make buttons and other supplies, and, in general, they provide a greater sense of security for families.
Sheep were a need brought up consistently by the families we interviewed in Annayo. So we decided to do something about it, getting some farmers more sheep to help form a foundation of stability in the community.
We were able to buy sheep for families who were already taking care of livestock, and had the supplies and skills to do so.
Many of the sheep we bought replaced sheep that had died during the 2017 drought, and the farmers we spoke with were so grateful.
“There is a cultural value set on live stock in this region,” said Rahma Ismail from the ARC team in nearby Hargeisa. “They mean a lot to people, and they equate to a real lift in the economy. Restocking those lost in the droughts will directly help these farmers in a significant way.”
This change made possible by Mankind is My Business.
