Introducing Nafula, our first ngombe

On Saturday, October 20th I was able to go with Michael and some of the kids from the home and get the cow that Morningview so amazingly funded! I’m beyond thankful that your heart to help these children was realized in such a physical way that I was able to be involved in. Thank you so much!

We went to Pastor Robert’s “cow farm” and talked with him a little bit. We were able to tour the facility and see all the other cows in the pens. When Baba Robert showed us our cow it was easy to see how much smaller she was from the other cows, although she is still a pretty decent size. Nafula (her given name which means harvest) is two and a half years old. She has only had one calf in her life and besides a small, but treatable infection in her right eye, is in exceptional health.

Nafula at the cow farm was giving about 17 litres of milk a day but since being at our home is giving about 10 litres daily. Her giving has gone down some due to the fact that we are not able to feed her the high quality grain that she has grown up eating. The kids at the home are only using about 5L a day so she is meeting their demand and going over it. They are able to milk her twice daily, at 6am and 4pm. The kids have already said many times how thankful they are to have a cow and have fresh milk daily.

She is not the most affectionate cow but she is warming up to the children and allowing them to touch her more often. The older kids are loving being able to milk her daily. Her first couple days were pretty rough since she went from an inclosed space with 20+ other cows surrounding her to a new home and is alone most of the time (except she has become pretty friendly with some cows who live on the property that backs up to ours). David, the man who has moved into the home and will be taking over the management opportunities after the Medlin’s leave has also taken the initiative to help make a shelter for Nafula and her food containers.

I’m so thankful to have been part of getting these children a cow, and cannot wait to have my turn milking her. 🙂

Here are some pictures from the walk home, and of her settled at the home.

Thank you to Morningview Baptist! The kids LOVE having milk.

Nafula grazing at the children’s home

Nafula eating as she gets ready to be milked.

Nafula running on the way back home.

Nafula fighting the boys about crossing the street.

Nafula and Wilson on the way home.