Dozens of elderly persons and widows in Busedde Sub-county, Jinja District, have received goats from the Anadolu Foundation in an initiative aimed at improving livelihoods among vulnerable households.
The donation exercise took place in Kasita Village, with beneficiaries also drawn from nearby communities including Wantunda and Bulondo villages.
Idi Menya, a representative of the foundation, said supporting elderly residents with livestock is a strategic approach to enhancing economic stability and independence.
“Old people are honest and there is no doubt they will achieve our goal of improving their livelihoods because they are patient and capable of taking care of the goats. Unlike some youths who may sell the goats whenever they have urgent needs, the elderly tend to rear them and allow them to multiply,” Menya explained.
The initiative is part of the foundation’s broader agenda to support elderly people, widows, and other vulnerable groups in rural communities.
The donation brought excitement among beneficiaries, many of whom described the goats as a life-changing opportunity.
Seventy-six-year-old Robinah Nabirye expressed gratitude and pledged to care for her goat. “I will graze it well so that it produces kids which I can sell to support my needs,” she said.
Mutesi Mwajuma, a resident of Kasita Village, applauded the foundation for reaching out to vulnerable members of the community.
Local leaders also welcomed the initiative. The LC1 Chairperson, Hausi Mugoya, described it as the first time he had seen such targeted support for the elderly and widows.
“We have many vulnerable people here who badly need support. We thank this organization for thinking about our community and encourage more well-wishers to borrow a leaf from Anadolu Foundation,” Mugoya said. He noted that goats are a practical form of support because they reproduce and provide families with future income.
Another beneficiary, Kekulina Aliwebwa, said the donation would help elderly caregivers who are raising grandchildren after losing their parents.
“These animals will help us improve our livelihoods. We have been struggling and sometimes depend on others for help,” she said. Aliwebwa added that many elderly people in the community face severe economic challenges, lacking even basic household necessities.
“Sometimes we even lack simple things like salt or soap. I am also sick and there are days when you want tea but there is no sugar. This donation is life-changing because the goats can multiply, and we can sell some to get money,” she explained.
Through initiatives like this, the Anadolu Foundation continues to empower vulnerable households in rural communities, helping them build sustainable sources of income and improve their quality of life.
