01/07/2026
Vijayan is typical of many of the rural poor in India. He is married with two daughters. The daughters are married, and in Indian culture this means that they are now part of their husbands’ families and not able to help their parents. Vijayan also had to pay for a large dowry for each, leaving him with debts that he is unable to repay.
He works as a coolie – someone who has to go out to look for work each day. However, such work is in short supply, and he is often disappointed. In order to keep body and soul together he had a cow – the milk provides healthy food, and can be sold at a good price. One cow can support a family.
But then disaster struck – the cow died, leaving Vijayan and his wife destitute. He could not afford another.
But all was not lost. One of our wonderful supporters had bought a cow through our alternative catalogue which enabled us to replace the cow. The cost of a cow depends on its milk production. Our partner in India was able to source one that yields about 13 litres a day – good by Indian standards. The asking price was 58,000 Rupees. Our contact was able to knock them down to 55,000 Rupees, plus 2,000 Rupees to transport the cow – a total of just under £500.
The cow comes with its calf (male) which can be reared and, when the time is right, sold for meat.
So the future for Vijayan and his wife is secure, thanks to the generosity of one of our supporters.
