Dear Friends,
I was introduced to the “Cow Project” as a result
of my acquaintance with Sister Toni Temporiti,
who is the Director and Founder of Microfinancing
Partners in Africa. MPA’s vision is the complete
eradication of extreme poverty in Africa.
I asked Sr. Toni about a picture of her with an African
woman who was all smiles. She said that the woman
related to her about that day being one of the happiest
days of her life, because she could finally afford to purchase a sack of potatoes at wholesale
cost and start a business. Now there was hope for a more prosperous future.
To that end MPA is on a mission to raise money to fund programs which empower Africa’s
most destitute individuals to lift themselves out of poverty with dignity, through access to small
loans and education. The recipients succeed because of their dedication and commitment to
hard work, and the programs are far more impactful long term than one-time hand-outs.
The “Cow Project” is one such program. In rural underdeveloped regions like Uganda, cows
can have a tremendous impact on a family and a village. But native African cows produce very
little milk. Good healthy dairy cows cost hundreds of dollars, which is beyond the reach of
someone living on less than one dollar a day. With the help of the MPA, the “Cow Project”
provides the loans that enable families to purchase a much needed cow, receive training and
education on how to care for the animals and use them wisely, and basically, start a business.
My friend Sr. Toni makes a trip each year to witness first-hand how the “cow project” impacts
the lives of individuals, families, and entire villages for the better.
MPA’s cows give around twenty liters (5.28 gallons) of milk a day. The family uses two liters (a
little over ½ gallon) for themselves and sells the rest. The sale of surplus milk earns money for
food, medicine, clothing, home improvements, and school fees. Families without such an
income-producing opportunity may not be able to afford the cost of sending their children to
school.
The waste products of the cow become a clean and earth friendly bio-fuel. It provides a means
for cooking and lighting. The remainder of the bio-fuel is used for fertilizer.
Not only must recipients commit themselves to learning the skills and acquiring the knowledge
necessary to succeed and sustain the program, they must be willing to allow other families the
opportunity to be involved in the training process as well. The cow is pregnant upon arrival.
When the calf is born and ready to leave it’s mother, it will be given to one of the other families
who have been trained. Because a healthy cow can produce a calf every year, the program
perpetuates itself in helping lift people up from poverty to self reliance.
I was personally attracted to the "Cow Project" because its impact is tangible, measurable, cost-
effective, efficient, value-added, sustainable, and ongoing.
From the sales of my CD, “For What It’s Worth”, I've come to realize that the album can be a
catalyst for those of us who have enough already to offer hope of a better life to those who
don’t. It is in that spirit that I’m initiating “Moo-sic For Cows”, which is a program to support
the MPA’s involvement in the Uganda Cow Project. Beginning in 2010, all proceeds from my
CD will benefit that cause.
I hope to generate enough sales to purchase 20 cows. Each cow is $800. The CD’s are $15.
You can purchase them here if you'll click on the "CD" tab. Then click on "buy the CD" tab and
you'll be redirected to CDBaby.com, which is my secure web fulfillment company.
If you already have the CD, perhaps you would consider purchasing a copy or two for your
friends and sharing your endorsement of this project with those in your social network. Your
support will be greatly appreciated, and I thank you in advance.
Enthusiastically yours,
Gene
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For more information about Microfinancing
Partners For Africa and the "Cow project",
click on the MPA tab to the right.
Partners For Africa and the "Cow project",
click on the MPA tab to the right.
Above is Gene with Sr. Toni Temporiti, the founder of Microfinancing Partners In Africa. |
Moo-sic For Cows
You're listening to "Enough Already", which is one of the songs from Gene's CD "For What's It's Worth". |