Questions often lead to understanding.
Here you will find answers to the questions we are asked most frequently about Ubuntu Goats.
About Ubuntu Goats
What is Ubuntu Goats?
Ubuntu Goats is a community-based initiative that helps small communities in West Africa become more self-supporting.
Each new Ubuntu Community begins with five women, each receiving one young female goat. As their herds grow, new opportunities are created for other women through Passing Forward.
The goal is simple: helping communities grow from within.
Why goats?
Goats are well suited to rural life in West Africa.
They provide nutritious milk, reproduce naturally and can help families become more self-supporting.
For many families, one healthy goat can make a meaningful difference.
Why only female goats?
Female goats are the foundation of every growing herd.
They provide milk and give birth to new kids, allowing the herd to grow naturally over time.
Male goats are usually already available within neighbouring communities, making female goats the most valuable starting point.
About the West African Dwarf Goat
Why this breed?
The West African Dwarf Goat is naturally adapted to the local climate, vegetation and diseases.
It is hardy, easy to manage and particularly well suited for small family communities.
How much milk does a goat produce?
Milk production depends on the individual goat, her health, nutrition and local conditions.
After her kids have received what they need, the remaining milk can often be used by the family or made into yoghurt or cheese.
How many kids does a goat usually have?
Twins are very common.
Many mothers give birth to two kids, while triplets also occur regularly.
This is one of the reasons why a small herd can gradually grow over time.
How long do they live?
A healthy West African Dwarf Goat typically lives between 15 and 20 years when well cared for.
Why are they suitable for West Africa?
Because this breed has lived in West Africa for many generations, it is already well adapted to the local climate, vegetation and diseases.
Its resilience makes it an excellent choice for small family farms.
About Ubuntu Communities
Why five women?
Working together creates mutual support.
The women learn from one another, encourage one another and help each other overcome challenges.
Ubuntu Goats believes communities become stronger when people grow together.
How are they selected?
The community selects the women itself.
Ubuntu Goats does not decide who receives the goats, because each community knows its own people best.
What happens after the first kids are born?
As the herd grows, each woman is encouraged to pass one young female goat to another woman in her community.
This is known as Passing Forward.
In this way, one small beginning gradually creates new opportunities for others.
Who owns the goats?
The goats belong to the women who receive them.
Ubuntu Goats does not retain ownership of the goats or their offspring.
Male goats may be sold whenever this helps support the family.
Female goats have a special role. They are encouraged to remain within the Ubuntu Community, either by growing the family's own herd or by being passed forward to another woman.
In this way, every new generation of female goats creates new opportunities for other families.
What is the mission of Ubuntu Goats?
Ubuntu Goats is a platform that connects Ubuntu Communities with people who wish to support them.
We share practical information, help communities get started and encourage relationships that can continue to grow over time.
Our goal is simple: helping communities grow from within.