Animal traction initiative starts in Gemena

The Congo Animal Traction Initiative (CATI) started in Gemena this week.  Monday was the official opening of CATI.  It was attended by several government officials in Gemena.

May Sanguma explaingin CATI during opening

During the opening ceremony May Sanguma, Executive Director of CATI, showed pictures and explained the advantages of animal traction and what CATI will do to train trainers who will in turn train others in animal traction.  At the closing Papa Duale prayed for CATI as it begins.

working with the first team, Jessica is on the Right

Jessica Johnson came as a volunteer to be a part of the initial training and will be here through the end of April.  Her focus is demonstration and training how to break cattle to close contact with people and for traction.  After the Monday morning opening she and May went to the new corral at IPOK to meet those chosen for the first training and to begin to work with the young bulls.

I visited them Wednesday morning and already the first team of 9 month old bulls had quieted down and was very accepting of human touch.  That afternoon they started training these bulls to lead and follow voice commands.  At the same time the trainees were attending to the new bulls and acclimating them to being touched.

brushing and petting a new team

starting to work with a new bull

working on another part of the corral

the corral & shelter