Caitlín the goat has travelled from the western edges of Beara to her new home in Kenya, thanks to the efforts of a local primary school.
BY HELEN RIDDELL
CAITLÍN the goat has travelled from the western edges of Beara to her new home in Kenya, thanks to the efforts of a local primary school.
A Christmas fundraiser organised by the pupils at Cahermore National School allowed them purchase Caitlín, who has made the long journey to Kenya to aid children and their families there.
The remotely located school fundraises for a charity each Christmas, and this year chose Trócaire.
Siobhan O’Driscoll, deputy principal at the School told The Southern Star: ‘We decided to purchase a goat for Kenya as they are lively, healthy and easy to care for. A goat can produce up to four litres of milk daily, so families can make money selling the excess. They can also give birth to kids twice a year, often producing twins or triplets, that grow up to have more kids. The income earned can help to improve a family’s diet, and pay for education.’
The children of Cahermore National School fundraised by donating their pocket money, and enlisting the help of their parents, grandparents and teachers. Mrs O’Driscoll said there was great excitement when Caitlín arrived in the school on Friday December 1st. ‘She stopped for a quick photo shoot before her journey to Cork from where she was shipped to Kenya.’
Mrs O’Driscoll said there was such a great response to the fundraising that the school were also able to purchase two additional goats, one beehive and six chicks.
