Bothar

Bóthar (Irish word for Road) is a charity in the Republic of Ireland specialising in helping poor farmers in Africa and third world countries to become self-sufficient giving them livestock. By sending cows, goats, camels, pigs, trees and providing education and veterinary back up, Bóthar helps tackle poverty and support sustainable development.

History of Bothar

Bóthar had its origins in 1989 in the city of Limerick on the Shannon Estuary in Ireland. It began as an enterprise with the aim of sending as many dairy cows to Africa as possible in the year 1991, in conjunction with the civic celebrations to mark the tercentenary of the signing of the Treaty of Limerick, an important milestone in Irish history.

However, as the months passed and as more people were informed about the project, a great enthusiasm began to surround the organising committee. It became apparent that this endeavour had far more potential than a local and temporary programme. It was decided to invite prominent national figures to form a Board of Directors of a new Third World Development Agency, which would specialise in the use of livestock in developing countries.

The national launch of Bóthar, on 24 August 1991 was attended by, among many others, Mr. Tom Hemphill the Chief Executive of Heifer International, USA, with whom Bóthar had formed a working partnership. As soon as the formalities were concluded Bóthar was offered its first dairy heifer by Mr. Tim Doody of Kilballyowen, Herbertstown, Co. Limerick. Following this the practical task of getting together the first heifer shipment was stepped up. After three months of very hard work by many people from all over the country the first Bóthar Airlift of 20 in-calf dairy heifers left Shannon Airport for Entebbe, Uganda on the night of 10 December 1991. One week later these animals were distributed to 20 individual families.In the following few years many subsequent shipments of heifers were sent to East Africa. Bóthar also began a dairy goat programme, and became involved with supplying 4 W-D vehicles, large supplies of veterinary drugs and many thousands of Artificial Insemination straws to project countries. The excellent working relationship between Bóthar and Heifer International continued throughout the formative years of the organisation. Bothar had its origins in 1989 in the city of limerick.

Irish BSE and Foot and Mouth Outbreak

In 1996 Europe was faced with the crisis of Bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE), and this brought a halt to heifer airlifts for two years. During this period the only animals that Bothar sent abroad were dairy goats. However Bothar continued to assist wherever they could with veterinary supplies, vehicles, artificial insemination straws and training literature. During this period Bothar was forced to broaden its scope and look in other directions for ways of assisting struggling families in the developing world. Bóthar began investigating other countries that needed assistance and also researched other types of farm animals that they could work with. This led, subsequently, to the establishment of both the chicken and pig projects in Cameroon. More recently Bothar have established bee projects in five African countries: Ghana, Tanzania, Uganda, Cameroon and Zambia, a breeding yak programme in Tibet and a rabbit programme in China. Following the lifting of embargoes after recent Irish foot and mouth outbreaks, the heifer programme has continued to expand and now operates in Cameroon, Rwanda, Uganda, Lebanon, Malawi, Albania and Kosovo and Bothar goats are now present in Tanzania, Kenya, Lebanon, Mozambique, Poland, Uganda and Gambia.

External links

* [http://www.bothar.org/ Bothar official website]