Report from Tanzania: Family's goats attacked by bees

    
 On May 28^th Barikeli Basso, one of our goat recipients, came home to a terrifying sight.  Bees were attaching the family's goat in their shed.  Others said the bees had been chased from a neighbor’s property and had begun to spread over the area.  Barikieli, father of four from the village of Qurus, rushed to save the animals.  Barikeli's doe from Food for His Children, the breeding buck and two goat kids were badly injured.  A two month old doe was found unconscious and didn't survive.      

Barikeli's family with Honorina

The other three goats were treated by our veterinarian, Joseph Kwasalema.  The family was also visited by program manager Honorina Honorati.  To treat their stings Joseph carefully rubbed the goats' skin using a rough brush to remove the stingers.  He also administered a bee poison antidote called atropine sulphate.  For three days the goats were unable to eat their typical diet of grasses because their mouths were swollen.  They were fed milk by hand instead and monitored closely.  By the end of the three days the goats were beginning to eat soft grasses again and showed signs of recovery. 

Goats back in their shed

This was a fluke accident but we are so thankful to have Joseph working with us to help families provide care for their animals.  Barikeli sustained a few bee stings as he saved the herd, but thankfully the wounds were minor and no one else was hurt.  The loss of the baby doe was a blow to the family because they depend on the nutritious milk the female goats provide when they are older.  Please keep this family in your prayers.