UBUNTU GOATS FAQ

What is UBUNTU?
The word 'Ubuntu' has its origins in the southern part of Africa. It refers to the art of living together in the realization that you and I can only be happy if every last member of our community is happy, that you and I can only grow if every member of our community can grow.
the Ubuntu Goats organization tries to put this principle into action.

What is an UBUNTU GOAT?
An UBUNTU GOAT is a West African dwarf goat of female gender that you receive (or give) 'on loan'.

Why was the West African dwarf goat chosen as Ubuntu goat?
The West African dwarf goat is a local goat species that is well adapted to its environment. Moreover, this goat species better resists certain local bacteria and parasites.

Some figures about these goats:
West African dwarf goats grow 15 to 20 years old.
The males (billy goats) weigh 20 to 25 kg and are 35 to 50 cm tall.
The females (nanny goats) weigh 18 to 22 kg and are 30 to 45 cm tall.
The gestation period lasts 5 months and a goat receives an average of 2 to 3 kids per litter.
The average period from conception to conception is 220 days.
In theory, a goat can thus give birth about 20 times (and to about 50 kids).
the Ubuntu Goats organization prefers to assume a more limited and realistic number of 30 new born kids (15 female and 15 male goats) for each goat 'on loan'.

What are the conditions to receive an Ubuntu goat 'on loan'?
As a rule, Ubuntu goats 'on loan' are only given to people who are in need and who are in a position to take care of these goats.

What is a 'Ubuntu Community'?
‘Goats on loan' are not given individually but to a group of women working together. This group is called a, ‘Ubuntu Community'.
You can start a new Ubuntu Community, provided that you can create a group of 5 people willing to work together.

What's in it for the Ubuntu Community, receiving ‘goats on loan'?
All of the revenue (milk, cheese, yoghurt, butter, etc.) from these goats belong to the Community. The Community can keep it for personal use or sell it in the market, as they please.

Do the goats belong to that Community?
No, the Community only receive the goats 'on loan' and on condition that they take good care of them and adhere to the conditions associated with the Ubuntu Goats system.

Our Community will soon receive 5 'goats on loan'. What should we do?
You need to take care of the goats which you receive 'on loan'. You can use the milk for yourself or others, or use it to make cheese, yogurt, butter. But you can never sell or kill your goats 'on loan'.
Please, consult the Goat Library on how to take care of goats.

What happens when a 'goat on loan' is pregnant?
As soon as a ‘goat on loan' is pregnant, you need to inform your local Project Manager for further follow up.

What happens if a ‘goat on loan' gives birth to a nanny goat?
New born nanny goats become additional ‘goats on loan' and stay within the Community. If the number of nanny goats within a Community becomes too important, the Community can forward new born nanny goats to other people in need. The Community receives a compensation for each nanny goat being passed forward. At the time of writing (2024), the amount of this compensation, is 3000 Dalasi.

What happens if a ‘goat on loan' gives birth to a billy goat?
All of the billy goats born from a ‘goat on loan', have to be passed back to the Ubuntu Goats Organization.

How old a new born goat has to be, before it is passed forward (nanny) or passed back (billy)?
The new born goats should be passed forward (nanny goats) or passed back (billy goats) between the age of 4 and 6 months old.

When can I start milking? And how much milk can I expect?
As soon as your goat on loan has birthed its first kids and the kids stop drinking, you can start milking your goat. If your goat is healthy, you can count on about 2 litres per day.

Who can help me with milking and cheese making, or assist me otherwise, when I have a problem?
The person who gave you your Ubuntu goat will certainly help you on your way. You can also find additional information on how to milk a goat in the Goat Library.

How should I take care of my goat / its kids?
It is important that you provide shelter (see the Library Shelter sector), food diet (see the Library Dietary Supplements sector), and health care (see the Library Health Care sector) for your goat on loan.

What happens when a Community doesn't take care of the health of a ‘goat on loan'?
In this case, the Ubuntu Goat Organization may reclaim the goat.

What should my goat eat to stay healthy? Do I have to give it something extra?
Much depends on what your goat finds in nature. Goats are very strong animals and are satisfied with little. However, additional nutritional supplements may be indicated. Ask other goat herders what is needed in your area. You can also check the Goat Library for a list of supplements.

Do I need to vaccinate the goats on loan?
Once a year, all 'goats on loan' are vaccinated free of charge by the Ubuntu Goats Organization.

Do I need to give some extra nutrients to young goats who start eating solid foods?
Yes you should. Please check the Goat Library on the subject.

Do I have to build a shelter?
This depends on the environment. Sometimes the animals are kept together within the village. In that case you can count on the community. You can also build a shed and consult the Goat Library on the subject.

My goat is about to give birth. What can I do before, during and after birth?
As always, we would advise you to ask around first. For additional information, see the Goat Library.

Help, my goat gives less milk. What can I do?
When your goat suddenly gives less milk, this is often a sign that something is wrong. Check whether the goat gets all the necessary nutrients it needs. If necessary, contact a veterinary or ask the other members of your group for advice.

What if the goat I received 'on loan' gets sick?
Many diseases can be prevented by taking good care of your goats. Read the Goat Library for tips on how to best take care of goats. If your goat gets sick, ask for extra tips from other people who have Ubuntu goats or contact a local veterinary.

What happens if the goat I received 'on loan' dies?
It is forbidden to kill or sell an Ubuntu goat on loan. If your 'goat on loan' dies a natural death, you simply need to inform the Project Manager.

Where can I find a billy goat to fertilize my goat on loan?
This depends on the area in which you live. In some areas where goats roam freely, this process follows its natural course. In other areas, the billy goats travel from shed to shed.

How many offspring goats can I expect an Ubuntu goat to have?
The average period from conception to conception is 220 days.
The gestation period itself lasts 5 months and a goat receives on average 2 to 3 kids per litter.
So on average it can be said that after 2 years, each ‘goat on loan' will have given birth three times and will have had 6 to 8 kids.

How long does it take before a new born goat can be fertilized?
A young goat has to be between 12 and 18 months old.

How long does it take before my goat can get fertilized again after having given birth?
A goat can be fertilized again on average 70 days after having given birth.

About the Ubuntu Goat Project Manager

What happens if you do not respect the agreement?
Any member of a Community who doesn't comply with the conditons set forward in the Loan Agreement, may be removed from the group and replaced by someone else. The decision and the severity of the consequences will be decided upon by the Ubuntu Goat Project Manager of your Community.

What is the mission of the Project Manager?
The Project Manager can visit the Ubuntu goats of the local Ubuntu Community at regular intervals and advise the goat holders where needed. It is the task of the Project Manager to monitor the overall health and condition of the Ubuntu flock as well as to supervise and implement the system. In case of discussion, the Project Manager may decide which action needs to be taken. He may even reclaim the goats and forward them to someone else if the conditions of the Loan Agreement are not honored.

Do you want to be a Project Manager for UbuntuGoats?
If you have experience in goat herding as well as in project management and wish to know more about the mission of the Project Manager, click here.