Goat Milk

Intolerance

Many Ugandans do not take milk because it causes stomach or intestinal disturbance - we estimate around 5% of the population. So far, we have seen no ill effects when such people take goats milk.

HIV+ mothers

HIV is carried in breast milk, but while the baby is only receiving breast milk the risk is very low. As soon as any solid food is given, the risk becomes much higher (ref) - even if the ‘solid’ food is porridge.

In one of our partner projects, goats milk is used as a bridging food, to enable an adequate weaning period; and is also as a nutritional supplement once the baby is weaned.

Specific Beneficiaries

Goats milk is easier to digest than cows milk, and also much less liable to cause problems of intolerance. So it is particularly useful for infant feeding. The best milk for a baby is its mothers own milk, but if this is unavailable, or at weaning, goats milk is the next best choice.

Similarly, AIDS patients who often have frequent digestive disorders can benefit from this easily digested source of concentrated nutrition.

Basic Diet

In many parts of Uganda milk is scarce and expensive. Generally in these areas the diet is low in fat and protein which milk could provide.