Page 91 - EMBRACE Book

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Mbaboneye, Rwanda Lyn, Philippines

“I am so happy to have received a cow from EMBRACE. I am
enjoying many things from the cow. Manure, milk, even the “There were many things that EMBRACE taught
urine. I use the manure for my kitchen garden. I give the that went against our traditional knowledge, but
milk to my children. They have really benefited from a the group has been very accepting of the new
more balanced diet. I am growing so many vegetables now, ideas. They know that the information is backed
I try to give them to the neighbours and invite them to by modern science and research and so we have
come any time they need vegetables. The urine I use as a put our trust in that, even though it goes against
pest management and also protecting the leaves of the the teachings of our mothers and grandmothers.
vegetables.
For instance, we learned that once a baby is born,
Our cow gave birth to a male calf. In six months, we will baby must breastfeed right away. The first milk
pass the cow on to the next family. I plan to sell our male that comes, the colostrum, is very important for
calf and buy a female cow. baby to receive to help them get a good start
nutritionally and to help prevent sickness. We
Glory to God for bringing EMBRACE and ADRA to this area. never knew this before. Our traditional
Only God is able to give them what will be good for them. I knowledge said that this milk was not good for
wish many blessings to ADRA and the Canadian people.” the baby, that it was dirty, and so we would not
give this first milk to our babies. Now we know
better! We also learned that breastfeeding should
be exclusive for the first six months.”

Photo: © 2019 ADRA | Frank Spangler Photo: © 2019 ADRA | Frank Spangler