Devon supporters raise a glass for Send a Cow’s 30th anniversary

Last night (6 September) over one hundred guests across Devon came together to celebrate Send a Cow’s 30th anniversary at a special drinks reception at Windout Barn near Exeter. Guests gathered to hear the impact of the charity’s work with farming families in sub-Saharan Africa over the last three decades, and to celebrate the fact that over two million people have been lifted out of poverty.

Jenny Reynolds, one of the organisation’s ambassadors, introduced the speakers for the evening expressing her passionate belief in Send a Cow’s ability to “help people help themselves out of poverty”.

One of the founding farmers, David Bragg from Crediton, shared his memories over the years and told guests about the incredible journey that the charity has made. David shared the story of how Send a Cow began with a group of West Country dairy farmers who decided to send some of their cows to rural families in Uganda struggling after the country’s civil war. “But it was more than only sending cows”, he said. “It was about building people’s capacity, and building up their confidence”. He told the story of how one cow in particular changed his life; Gracie, who was donated from his very own herd in Devon. David had visited Gracie in Uganda, and recalled “Gracie had transformed her new family’s future, and also mine. I was convinced that Gracie’s wonderful legacy needed building on”.

The special guest for the evening was Aklilu Dogisso, Send a Cow’s Country Director for Ethiopia. Aklilu spoke about how his country and people have been positively affected by Send a Cow’s work over the years. “I am so privileged and honoured to be here this evening.” Aklilu shared how he was the only one out of his siblings to be sent to school, and how proud he was to now be a country director for Send a Cow. Telling the story of two Ethiopian families who had been supported by Send a Cow he said, “All of these stories keep me and my colleagues motivated to do this work”.

Closing the evening was Paul Stuart, the CEO of Send a Cow. Paul thanked everyone for attending the event and for their support over the years. He spoke of the incredible transformation he had witnessed in the African families he met. He told guests how one of the people he met said to him: “My thinking was transformed from death to life”.

Thank you to the kind sponsors of the evening. Guests enjoyed refreshments from Cocksure Brewing, Luscombe Drinks, and Quicke’s Cheese, listening to music by The Mighty Peas. Flic and Sam Ursell kindly lent their barn at Windout Farm, as the venue for the celebrations.