RECENT MRA PROJECT: RUVUMA TANZANIA

One of the programs MRA undertakes is the GOAT HOPE. Goat Hope was established as a microenterprise, supporting both the nutritional and income needs to people affected by HIV/AIDS in the Sub-Saharan Africa. Even though, the program began in Kenya, MRA is proud to extend to other parts of Africa. One of the most recent places is in Ruvuma Tanzania.

• WHAT IS GOAT HOPE?

MRA distributes dairy goat to families where at least one family member is affected with HIV/AIDS. The goat provides milk to the family for consumption, and the sale of the surplus brings income to the family.

• WHY GOAT HOPE?

I am going to use some big words here, but don’t panic!
Immunodeficiency disorder or immunosuppression simply means suppression of the immune system in the human body. This may occur for many reasons, one of which is AIDS.
Research shows that goat milk is easy to digest than cow milk. It is also high in nutrients such as Vitamin B1, B6 and contains Niacin content, therefore helping people suffering from immunodeficiency disorder.
Also, goat is more easily acceptable in the Sub-Saharan African cultures. It requires low resources to sustain and grow their herds, resulting in higher return.

• HOW MUCH DOES IT COST?

On average, the Goat Hope project approximately costs $5,500 annually. The funds are used to purchase 24 crossbred dairy goats which are leased to six households (i.e. four goats per household), with at least one member affected with HIV/AIDS. The funds are also used to provide training, constant evaluation and support to local NGOs on implementing and managing the Goat Hope project.

• OUR SUCCESS RATE?

To date, MRA has implemented the Goat Hope project to over 30 households in Kenya. These households represent over 300 children, women and men affected with HIV/AIDS. Over 100 goats have been gifted to beneficiaries in three Kenyan provinces.

• BEYOND KENYA TO RUVUMA TANZANIA

Ruvuma Tanzania has the similar rural settings as Kenya. We believe that the Goat Hope will have similar success in Ruvuma Tanzania, addressing better economic and health outcome among people affected by HIV/AIDS.

Thank You for Supporting MRA!

Thank You for Your Support to MRA!
Hello! Great News! Goats have been delivered to 9 households in Transmara Kenya. The Goat Hope beneficiaries represent 60 children, women and men affected with HIV/AIDS. A few weeks ago we shared the profile of two families and today we list the other seven family profiles below.



Kinangare Keiyua Family – Ms. Keiyua, a widow with three children, is HIV positive. Ms. Keiyua has maintained a very healthy lifestyle (considering the standards of living in rural Kenya) mainly through tilling her land where she grows very nutritious food crops (spinach, various legumes and fruit). The Keiyua diet, however, lacks animal protein that is particularly important for healthy growth of the younger children and a stronger immune system for Ms. Keiyua. The two goats they will receive will be extremely crucial in supplementing their household diet.



Kinangare Tiringa Family is one of the smaller households impacted with HIV/AIDS in Enoosean Village, Transmara, Kenya. Ms. Tiringa, also HIV positive, keeps herself optimistic by rearing chicken that she sells to provide for resources that purchase her households food and other subsistent needs. The goats will be instrumental in supplementing their household income and furthering Ms. Tiringa’s goal of educating her children.



Kinyingita Naigisa – Poses with her daughter and granddaughter. While Ms. Naigisa is not HIV positive, her daughter and granddaughter are. She has therefore assumed the role of caretaker at her golden years and the goats her household receive will be extremely important for her daughter and granddaughters nutrition.



Naibaituni Nairimo household is one of the few families endowed with resources that can enable them quickly emerge from below the poverty line. Because this household has a son who is primary school educated and strong enough to perform various agricultural activities, their diet and economic outlook, though dire, is not as catastrophic as the other family profiles. The goats are the boost the Nairimo family needs to establish a stronger economic footing that can catapult them to an income level of $1500 – 2500 annually, just barely above the UN defined poverty line threshold. The goat milk will also be useful in providing much needed nutrition for Ms. Nairimo’s daughter who is HIV positive.



Naoroi Nangea Family represents the unfortunate emerging trend in most of Africa’s Sub Saharan villages where the grandparents are having to play the role of caregiver after their grandchildren are orphaned by HIV/AIDS. Mama Nagea is almost 80 years old and her eight grandchildren were recently orphaned by AIDS that claimed the lives of their parents. Prior to the role of caretaker, Mama Nangea was already struggling to feed herself and could barely make it economically. Having been thrust into the role of provider again, Mama Nangea and family profiles like hers depend on projects like Goat Hope as the only lifeline. Medical Relief Alliance, Inc. will work closely with the local government officials in Enoosean to ensure that Mama Nangea receives the support she needs to be successful in rearing her dairy goats. Beyond the two goats she’ll receive, MRA intends to gift her additional two goats in 2011 owing to the size and need in her family.



Narku Naigisa Family is another very hopeful family that requires a minimal support before breaking through to marginally live above the UN defined poverty line. Because of the age, size and resources available to this family, Ms. Naigisa is in a better position that many of her HIV/AIDS widowed counterparts to educate her daughter. Naisum, her daughter is a brilliant student and aspires to be the first veterinary officer in her village. With the gift of the goats, Ms. Naigisa can save additional funds from the proceeds of milk sales that can enable Naisum obtain further education which has the potential to tremendously change their household circumstances. Her two other children were not at home when this picture was taken.



Nookapia Ntuatai and her four children recently lost Mr. Ntuatai to HIV/AIDS. Like in most other households, he was the breadwinner consequently his sudden death had a significant impact on not only the emotional stability of their household but also economic and health effects. Ms. Ntuatai is often overwhelmed and paralyzed with the bills that were left behind by her husband’s hospital bills. In fact, the understandable paralysis Ms. Ntuatai experiences have impeded her from getting tested to determine if she is HIV positive.

As the Ntuatai household receive the gift of two dairy goats to supplement their households income and nutrition, MRA is determined to work with Ms. Ntuatai to get tested at the opportune time so that effective health related interventions can be put in place sooner if need be.


As the underlying theme of the family profiles suggest, the dairy goats you help purchase, provide milk that improves the nutrition of the family while also establishing a path to financial independence through sales of surplus milk.

The average family MRA supports survives on $500 annually prior to participating in our goat project. After participating in our goat project for 12-18months, the average beneficiary family increases their income from $500 to $1,500 annually through sales of the goat milk!

Your gift that can be made safely and securely at MRA Website. A gift of $5 thus has the exponential capacity to transform lives in Kenya, one family at a time.

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