Since Oxfam Unwrapped was launched in Canada last October, thousands of people have enjoyed donating goats, chickens and even latrines in honour of their friends and family members. Now were thrilled to let you know how those gifts are being used.

Four Ethiopian organizations, HUNDEE, SEDA, FARM, and KMG are amongst the recipients of funds from Oxfam Unwrapped. Together, the communities they serve are receiving $95,000 to run small livestock programs aimed at improving self-sufficiency, especially for women.

HUNDEE-Oromo Grassroots Development Initiative is a partner organization of Oxfam Canada in Ethiopia. Through the provision of small ruminants (hoofed animals such as goats), HUNDEE is helping poor women enhance their economic conditions. Female sheep and goats are given to beneficiaries with the arrangement that they share the offspring with other families. This support system provides economic benefits to household members, as well as strengthening social ties within the community resulting in a new level of economic sustainability for a growing number of women. 

SEDA (Selam Environmental Development Association) in Ethiopia is expanding their local goat distribution through a Women Asset Building Project. The project will enhance household food security, generate income, and improve livelihoods. Socio-economically vulnerable women will be trained in goat development and management, animal feed production and will also benefit from veterinary services. In addition to being drought resistant, goats provide milk for children. The project will distribute over 500 locally-purchased goats to over 200 households, with 200 more households affected indirectly over the long-term. The benefits will be replicable, having lasting effects in the community.

FARM (Food and Agricultural Research Management) Africa is piloting the Women’s Enterprise Development Project (WEDP) in Ethiopia.  Focusing on women with low incomes and limited resources, it aims to empower women within their communities, providing an additional source of livelihood. Unwrapped funds will empower women’s groups through the provision of breeding goats, providing an alternative source of meat, milk, and income. 240 women will receive training on goat husbandry, fodder development, animal health, and management and leadership skills. Once training is complete, goats will be distributed to 20 members of the group. As the goats multiply, female offspring will be given to the other members, ensuring sustainability.

KMG (Kembatti Mentti Gezzimma) is an indigenous non-governmental organization established by Ethiopians with the belief that developing and cultivating women’s knowledge and skills improves the quality of all lives in the community. Their Asset-Based Community Development approach enables communities to recognize their strengths for creating a self-reliant community.  Part of the project aims to improve the livelihood of the communities with training and workshops on better livestock rearing, dairy and poultry farming, insemination procedures and animal husbandry, providing women with lasting skills and livelihoods.

Click here to find out more about Oxfam Unwrapped or to make a donation right now.