Ethiopia possesses one of the largest livestock populations in Africa, and this sector significantly contributes to livelihoods, food security, and the national economy. This proposal is designed to strengthen the sustainability of 20 guardians by providing cows. To do so, the project intends to purchase and deliver milk cows (dairy farm). The expected results are mainly an increase in family income, thereby enabling them to sustain themselves economically. The total budget for the project is $46,287.

Goals and Objectives

Goal: To produce safe, high-quality milk, increase productivity, and farm profitability to ensure the CarePoint graduation.

Objectives:

• Ensure CarePoint Graduation: Generate income for revenue-generating activity.
• Income Generation: Increase the guardians’ income by engaging in animal husbandry practices and effectively utilizing livestock for commercial purposes.
• Empowerment of Women: Ensure active participation and leadership of women within the SHG team’s animal husbandry project, promoting gender equality and women’s empowerment.
• Skill Development: Enhance the knowledge and skills of SHG members in animal care and feeding.

Project Description and Activities
The Dairy Farm Development Project aims to establish and support sustainable dairy farming systems for vulnerable households and community groups. The project focuses on improving milk production, household income, and nutrition, particularly for children and the community. Through the provision of dairy animals, training, and technical support, the project promotes family economic empowerment and livelihood resilience.

The project activities to be accomplished are as follows:

• Identifying the beneficiaries who have an interest and fulfill the rules and regulations of the organization.
• Delivering training about livestock production, feeding, protecting, sanitation, marketing, and veterinary issues.
• Purchase livestock and train guardians how to manage them in groups.
• Agreement with SHG on the general condition and manage the income for both CarePoint and guardians, check animals’ condition (health, injuries, abnormal behavior).
• Inspect fences, housing, and night damage.
• Confirm water systems are functioning properly

Local contributions
The community’s contributions include providing land for the construction of shade structures, while provincial government representatives in the sector will offer low-cost training. Additionally, community members will contribute their labor.

Monitoring & Evaluation
CHC plans to manage the implementation of a given project with the guardian. government sectors involve in the evaluation and consultation processes. The project will be overseen by project staff, government partners, and Children’s HopeChest. The project staff reviews the daily work and follows up to see if the project is going effectively. The government partner sector: women, youth,
and children’s office, finance office, etc., evaluate the progress of the project. The project implementation review will be monthly, quarterly and annually. Activities are closely monitored by CarePoint and HopeChest; if there is a problem will be corrected immediately.

Reporting
The CarePoint and Children’s HopeChest head office will prepare and submit the report based on the results of monitoring and evaluation for all stakeholders according to their responsibilities.

Project Description Budget
The total budget for the animal husbandry project is $46,287 and includes 20% administrative costs. The project has two phases to be implemented.

Phase I – $31,429: Includes purchase of 6 cows, feed for 6 months, veterinary expenses for 6 months, 2 security and 2 staff fees for 6 months, and shade construction.
Phase II – $14,858: Includes purchase of an additional 2 cows, feed, fees, veterinary expenses, 2 security, and 2 staff fees for 6 months, cows’ shade expansion.