Milk is so Important

Good Morning from Mali –

How are you all doing? Most of you know I’m not big on the mass emails, except for certain occasions. As you can gather, this is one of those occasions. Things here in Mali have been going really well and I’m doing well. Cold season is unfortunately close to over because I’ve been warm the past two days. This is not a good sign. But, we’ll make it through!

Anyway, I wanted to tell everyone about a project I’m working on. Despite working with PC Baba and Hallmark for the bogolan bag project, my ‘real’ job here is with a dairy co-op. We have a project going right now to do some cow inseminations. Trust me, I never thought the words ‘Sara Rosen’ and ‘cow insemination’ would be in the same sentence either, but they are. I’ve filled out a project proposal we call a Peace Corps Partnership Proposal and what happens is that this project is posted online and then friends, family and interested groups can donate. The good thing about this type of proposal is that the community is required to donate to the project, so it’s not just a hand out. My dairy co-op has donated 25% of the total cost with the hope of the American public funding the other 75%.

This is where you can come in! I would really appreciate if you could give even a little bit. The total that we’re looking for is $5,860, but I don’t expect that to be raised in an instant. I’m willing for it to take some time, but I hope it gets filled before the end of my service here! I would love to see this project through to its end. You can see this information on the website, but here is the summary of the project:

Due to the breed of cows in Mali, their output of milk production is low. With the insemination of these cows with sperm from French or Netherlands cows, and therefore hybrid offspring, milk production will at least double. The increased production will allow greater income generation to befall on Laiterie Suudu Baaba (dairy co-op), but will more importantly ensure the supply of dairy products to the community that demands them. Suudu Baaba has been very forward thinking with its project ideas thus far and knows how to expand their business and satisfy the community. Money for the large scale insemination is the only thing holding them back. The dairy co-op is asking for 76 cows to be inseminated and has the capacity to pay for 20 of those. It asks that you help supply funding for the remaining 56.

With the help of funding from the American public, Suudu Baaba can continue its business and continue to provide dairy products at low prices for all to afford them, not only those financially stable. It is their desire and hope to be a successful co-op in the region and sustain themselves for years to come. Without an increase in raw milk to transform into the products it offers, it will not be able to stay in business to see the next several years.

So, there you have it. Here is the website address that you can visit to donate.

https://www.peacecorps.gov/resources/donors/contribute/regioncontrib.cfm?region=africa

If you scroll down to Mali you’ll find my name and the heading Increased Milk Production. If you can give, I’m pretty sure the donations are tax deductible. In addition, please let me know who you are and you’ll definitely be thanked by me and my Malian counterparts.

If you have any other questions regarding the project, I will be more than happy to answer them. Don’t hesitate to ask. Also, if you can forward this on to other people or groups who might be able to help or who might be interested in giving, that would be greatly helpful.

Thanks so much, in advance, and we’ll talk soon!