In some of the more remote areas of India, such as the state of Andhra Pradesh, where the main crop is rice, the people struggle to exist. Unlike Goa, there are no tourists and therefore no opportunity to beg, ‘rag pick’, or make a meagre living from the work that tourism generates. We have for some time been in contact with a charity based in Manchester called Dovetales who work in Andhra Pradesh and we were pleased to have their help in starting our own ‘Buy a Cow’ scheme. This is a self-help project that generates an income for a needy family whilst helping the community they live in. We in the West take milk for granted and we know that it gives growing children the nutrients and proteins that are necessary for healthy growth. Our children receive milk on a daily basis but for a poor family in India that is a luxury they cannot afford. These families are not asking for handouts – just a hand up.

In our scheme, a cow is donated to a family in need, usually to widows who have been left with children to bring up on their own.

Due to the poor quality of vegetation a cow will only produce about 15 litres of milk a day. The family will usually use 2 litres and sell the rest to the villagers thereby providing in an income which will help feed, clothe and educate the children.

The aim is to buy cows in calf which, when born, if a female will be kept and in time will provide more milk and if a bull will be sold to work in the fields or pulling carts.

Cows cost approximately £300 to purchase and a further £50 to transport to the required village.

Our scheme was introduced in December 2005 and we were able to raise sufficient money for Dovetales to buy on our behalf two cows that were delivered to villages in February 2006.

Many thanks to those who have contributed to this scheme with special thanks to Bill & Janet of Dovetales for arranging the purchase and delivery of the cows to families living in the villages of Kavvaguta and Vangoor, Andhra Pradesh.