Bóthar animals are the ‘Live Aid’ gift that keeps on giving
I’m sure many of you will recall, with a smile, those Bóthar radio commercials from a few years back. Commercials where legendary actor Mick Lally would espouse all that was great and wonderful about the charity.
Particularly around Christmas time, these commercials were very effective in reminding all, as we rushed about the place attempting to secure a plump turkey, that not every family’s food problems could be solved with a simple trip to the butcher.
Bóthar is all about helping poorer families and communities worldwide overcome hunger and poverty, by the use of livestock as development aid.
Last Monday, October 10th, one of the biggest multi-species airlifts ever to leave Ireland and one of the biggest in the world, left the tarmac of Shannon Airport bound for war ravaged Rwanda.
‘The Bóthar Ark’ as it has been christened, carried with a live cargo of 37 in-calf dairy cows, three bulls, 260 pigs, 100 dairy goats, 5,000 chicks, and 5,000 AI straws, which will now be dispersed amongst 797 Rwandan families still suffering as a result of genocide perpetrated in Rwanda a number of years ago.
“This is the most important airlift we have ever pulled together, for many reasons,” Dave Moloney CEO of Bóthar told me.
“It’s our biggest airlift in terms of numbers and species. In that regard it’s a record in an Irish context. It also marks our 25th birthday as an aid organisation, and what a journey it has been.”
As Mr Moloney pointed out, Monday’s airlift from Shannon marked the 25th anniversary of the first Bóthar flight, which left the same airport taking 20 in-calf heifers to Uganda.
The inaugural flight had been intended as a one-off by a group of Mid-West farmers but, of course, the bold and brave venture has gone from strength to strength.
Bóthar now oversees three to four airlifts per year, usually taking place in the Autumn.
Niall Maloney, Airport Operations Director, Shannon Airport had this to say about the flight and the connection built up between the airport and Bóthar.
“Bóthar is like an old friend for us at Shannon. They have been airlifting cows, in particular, from here to some of the most needy people in the world for a quarter of a century. It’s a remarkable contribution, not least when you think of the organisation’s origins.
“It was just supposed to have been a once-off. Thankfully for tens of thousands of people across the world whose lives have been changed beyond their wildest hopes by the gift of food producing animals, it hasn’t stopped rolling since and we’re delighted to be associated with this milestone.”
Also at Shannon Airport on Monday, showing his support was All-Ireland winning Dublin manager, Jim Gavin.
The three times All-Ireland winning manager and one-time All-Ireland winning player joined the Bóthar senior staff crew of three on board the ‘Bóthar Ark’ for their five day mission to deliver the life-changing livestock.
Speaking ahead of the trip, the Dublin manager (a trained pilot, and an Assistant Director with the Irish Aviation Authority) said; “I’ve been to Africa many times before with work, but I’m particularly looking forward to this trip. A lot of people in Ireland have it really hard today but nothing compared to what we’re going to see this week.
“We are going to be visiting some of the poorest people of the world with an aid agency that is giving them a real shot at improving their lot beyond their wildest dreams.
"I’ve been very impressed by what Bóthar does, and very struck by the generosity of Irish farmers in donating these precious animals and Bóthar’s other donors in helping to raise money to buy more.”
Speaking about the extra passenger on board, Bóthar CEO Dave Moloney added, “Jim contacted us earlier this year and said he liked what we do and asked how he could help us. It’s not often that type of thing happens, where someone with his profile makes contact with a charity and asks to help.
"We were bold enough to ask him if he would be up for travelling with us on our most important airlift ever and he just said ‘yes, when does it go?’
“In addition, we are delighted to announce our new partnership with MSD Animal Health, who we believe will be a great addition to the programme with their significant experience in the area.”
“Receiving the gift of an Irish dairy cow or goat will be the first time that many of these families will earn an income, and this gift of a food-and-income-producing animal is like receiving the keys to a successful business.
"After a lot of local training and preparation, our recipient families will receive a very special animal, one that can continue to give for many years.
"Every family that receives an Irish dairy heifer notices an immediate difference in their lives when she calves and starts to produce milk. Irish dairy cows do very well in the Developing World, giving about 16-20 litres of milk per day, whereas for example in Rwanda, the local indigenous cow produces just one litre per day.
"They now have a sustainable food source. The great thing is that Bóthar has continued doing this thousands of times over.”
