An elderly woman in a brilliant pink blouse handed me a photo of herself that was taken when she was recovering in a hospital bed. This gift was her way of thanking Heifer for her life-saving operation. Her son, Cyprian Lukong, had struggled for years to make a living wage to care of his family, just as his mother had battled dehabilitating stomach problems time and time again.
Cyprian’s involvement with Heifer Cameroon’s dairy initiative proved to be a turning point, not only in his life, but that of his mother, his wife, his children, those that now work for him on his farm, and the many orphans that he provides milk for and helps counsel.
In the village of Vekovi, Cyprian was just one of many who had taken the livestock training, various agricultural instruction, and Heifer’s Cornerstones of sharing and caring and vigorously applied it to their lives to make a better future.
To most Americans these people would have nothing, but they are doing better than they ever imagined. Their homes are made of mud bricks with tin roofs, dirt floors and no indoor plumbing or appliances. But through their involvement with Heifer they are now able to provide three healthy meals a day for their family, pay for the children’s school fees, books and transportation, and even reach out to help AIDS/HIV orphans and ailing members of their communities.
The warmth and openness I was greeted with on my visit to Vekovi, where families so freely shared their life stories, was overwhelming. Almost every person I talked to wanted me to send greetings and thanks back to Heifer in America. Yet it isn’t the livestock, supplies or training that I think they were most thankful for. I believe they were saying thanks for being given the opportunity to realize their own self worth and tap into their own innate abilities to help not only themselves, but others as well that are in dire need.
The way in which these proud individuals speak of what Heifer has done for themselves, their families and their communities would melt the coldest cynics’ heart.
Two boys outside the Dzekwa Group’s meeting house in Vekovi.
The small, close-knit mountain village of Vekovi is located in the Northwest Province of Cameroon, far away from the bustling cities. It was here that I met Cyprian Lukong and Philip Sahwai, the first two members of the Dzekwa Multi Purpose Farmer’s Society to receive livestock. In 1997, they both received a pregnant purebred Holstein dairy cow.
Before immersing themselves in dairy farming, Cyprian had been a contract teacher on a minimal salary and Philip had been involved in the small-scale buying, fattening and selling of local beef cattle. Cyprian had a wife and children and Philip was an orphan who had to take care of his six younger siblings. Each man barely made enough money to feed themselves, much less their respective families.
In 1999, Cyprian decided with his wife that he would one more attempt at taking a year-long course to get a government teaching job. When he returned to his home and had no luck getting a government job, he then decided to leave teaching once and for all and devote himself fully to dairy farming. With the training in zero grazing and other dairy management strategies, Cyprian dairy farm has flourished with 12 offspring, including his very first Passing on the Gift in 1999.
The milk from his dairy farm is consumed by his family, shared with his neighbors and sold to surrounding communities. The profits from the dairy have allowed Cyprian to realize many dreams he had for his family.
“It is through the dairy project that I am able to educate my children,” Cyprian said. “One of them is in the second year of college and another one entered college this academic year.”
His third child, Emily, has been ill since she was 3-years-old and her continuing treatments are paid for with profits from the dairy. Last year, he was also able to construct a new home for his family.
Cyprian has reached out to others in his community, employing them on his dairy farm, yet in a way where they can eventually generate sustainable, lasting income. Cyprian works with his employees to identify their needs, such as purchasing livestock of their own, establishing an account in a local credit union, or building a home for their own family. He also shares the gender equity teachings, AIDS/HIV education, and other life lessons that he gained from Heifer with his employees.
“Since we have been taught by Heifer Project, particularly on gender issues and family involvement, my wife and I agree before we carry out anything in our lives, like the education of the children, projects and so on. And, for that reason, I want to think that Heifer Project has given me a gift, which is a long lasting gift. In spending money, we agree before we spend it and in that way I see that we are really succeeding.”
Cyprian’s mother had experienced chronic stomach problems that became critical in 2007.
“Her operation was the same year I was constructing the stable, this house and the other employee’s house. In that situation, I really faced a lot of difficulties,” Cyprian said. “But I really thank God because if not for the dairy project my mother would not have survived.”
Philip Sahwai with his newborn and 4-year-old daughter.
Philip Sahwai, much like fellow group member Cyprian, has experienced many hardships and struggles on his way to sustainable independence. Not long after receiving his first pregnant dairy cow from Heifer, his mother died, leaving Philip to care for all of his younger siblings. A desire for a better life for himself and his family led Philip to pour all of his energy into the dairy business. He soon learned from Heifer how to make yogurt and cheese and was able to sell his products in nearby towns, where he soon developed a reputation for having the finest yogurt.
The profits from his dairy allowed him to continue to pay for the fees and books for his siblings still in school. His first cow from Heifer has given birth several times, allowing Philip to Pass on the Gift to others in his village, including his younger brother who has joined him in the dairy business. His income from the dairy allowed him to get married and he is now the proud father of a 4-year-old and a 3-month-old. For his growing family, Philip constructed a new home just last year.
Philip proficiency in making yogurt and cheese has brought people from other villages and cities across Cameroon to learn his methods and he has traveled to the city of Bamenda to instruct priests in a Catholic church who wanted to learn from him.
“I am happy to share the knowledge because I received it from Heifer for free,” Philip said. “I feel I have an obligation to share with others”
Seeing first hand how honorable men like Cyprian and Philip lifted themselves and their families out of poverty and then, in turn, provided the same support and education that they once received to others in their community demonstrates the effectiveness Heifer’s continuing mission. But it is not only neighbors and surrounding communities that have taken notice of the life-changing work taking place in villages like Vekovi.
The private sector has invested in a new dairy processing plant outside of Bamenda, where Heifer Cameroon’s central offices are located. Mr. Kamga overheard a news report on the successes of Heifer’s dairy initiatives in the Western Highlands and after investigating it he decided the cooler climate would allow for better production than his current facilities in the south. He has since brought in a number of local farmers to be shareholders in the new dairy plant, providing them some stewardship over the operations of the facility.
A cooling station is also being constructed so that Vekovi and other villages far away from the plant can sell their milk as well. The plant opens for production on March 15.
“The quality of life for these farmers will greatly improve in the coming years,” Mr. Kamga said as we toured the grounds of the new facility.
This story of lives and a community forever changed is not limited to the Vekovi. I witnessed variations of these stories in Buea, Manjo, Bafou and many other places where Heifer Cameroon’s initiatives have taken root. And I am positive that every one of these places has their own Cyprian and Philip; individuals that have not only affected positive change in their lives and their community, but also now serve as ambassadors of Heifer as they reach out to others struggling to survive and make their own way in this world. It is an every widening circle that empowers individuals to reach their full potential and it is something that all supporters and donors to Heifer can feel a part of.
- Jeremy Glover