April 2017 - 300 cows saved just in time
In April 2017 Valli wrote: "The situation is very bad here, there is water scarcity and no fodder available in the region. The panchayat is supplying water to the villagers which is insufficient. The fodder is coming in from Kollegal, the price is too high for the farmers. Some already lost their cows and buffalos and others are trying to sell the meager animals ... "
Immediately an appeal was sent to Susila Dharma International, National SDs and individuals. It was the Easter weekend and everyone responded immediately and very generously. Valli ordered 50 t of maizestraw, 32 farmers received 1,5 tons each and 320 heads of cattle could thus be saved. 8.403 USD were collected over the weekend and the following week. 4.606 USD spent on fodder, the remaining 3.797 USD will build the stock of a drought-relief-fund.
In June Valli writes:
"The pre-monsoon rains have started in May, the grass in the forests is growing again and the cows went back there for grazing. Cows are the only capital farmers have. When they need money for a wedding, they sell one or more cows. To cultivate their land they need cattle menure, what they do not need themselves, they sell. Same with milk and milk products. Cows are also a kind of moving back, serving as security vis-a-vis the local money lenders. Cows, as one farmer put it, are an important source of income and have in the past often saved our families from ruin. We cannot imagine to lose them. "
Immediately an appeal was sent to Susila Dharma International, National SDs and individuals. It was the Easter weekend and everyone responded immediately and very generously. Valli ordered 50 t of maizestraw, 32 farmers received 1,5 tons each and 320 heads of cattle could thus be saved. 8.403 USD were collected over the weekend and the following week. 4.606 USD spent on fodder, the remaining 3.797 USD will build the stock of a drought-relief-fund.
In June Valli writes:
"The pre-monsoon rains have started in May, the grass in the forests is growing again and the cows went back there for grazing. Cows are the only capital farmers have. When they need money for a wedding, they sell one or more cows. To cultivate their land they need cattle menure, what they do not need themselves, they sell. Same with milk and milk products. Cows are also a kind of moving back, serving as security vis-a-vis the local money lenders. Cows, as one farmer put it, are an important source of income and have in the past often saved our families from ruin. We cannot imagine to lose them. "
|
|
MAILING ADDRESS: Anisha . Kadabur Village . Odaradotti . Martalli Post . Kollegal Taluk . Pin Code 571444 . Chmarajnagar District . Karnataka State . India
E-MAIL: anisha.india@gmail.com . PHONE: (91) 9448872207
E-MAIL: anisha.india@gmail.com . PHONE: (91) 9448872207
@Website, videos and photos by Myra Margolin. Additional design by Osanna Favre and additional photos by Anisha, the Human Force Volunteer Camp, Renee Zimmer
and Aminah Herrman. Updates Renee Zimmer and Valli Krishnaswamy, eMail Renee: CZimmer@t-online.de
and Aminah Herrman. Updates Renee Zimmer and Valli Krishnaswamy, eMail Renee: CZimmer@t-online.de