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Give someone a Cow!

Posted by Andrea Wilkinson on June 30, 2008 4:40 PM | 

Random Rwandan proverb:

'Yampiye inka!' translates as 'You have given me a cow!'

Like in many other countries around the world, cows have great importance in Rwanda and are still used as dowries in wedding ceremonies. However as I learnt from one of our partners cows can signify completely different things.

The first time I heard this proverb I was confused. I knew the man in question and I hadn’t given anyone a cow in well over a year (even then it was through those Oxfam Unwrapped gifts....)

It seems Rwandans have a bit of our British sarcasm as if the proverb is said warmly, it means you have given me something of great value. If it is said with a sarcastic tone or while laughing, it means whatever you are telling them is ridiculous and you need to think again.

Luckily on this occasion it was said positively.

Apparently by providing this training project to producers throughout Rwanda, Shared Interest is in effect giving them a cow! We are giving them hope for the future; a cow is a sign of wealth, a sign of planning, and a sign of security.

So, rather like the way we have saving accounts, Rwandans have cows.

Of course, each one also provides up to 15 litres of milk for drinking and sales.

I am extremely happy to be “giving many communities cows�.

Despite them not being real, these cows are providing hope for thousands of craft makers across the country.

So if you only do one thing today – give someone a cow!

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