Dairy cows donated to 47 of the most food insecure households in Khashmi village in the Kakheti region of eastern Georgia will be a valuable source of food and nutrition for struggling families thanks to a World Vision and Heifer International Food Security Enhancement (FSE) initiative.

Twenty cows were bought through World Vision's Gifts in Kind project 'Livestock for Vulnerable Families' and the other 27 were provided by Heifer International.

These vulnerable households were chosen from a village population of some 1,537 people, including families who had previously participated in the FSE project, those with multiple children, single mothers, and unemployed families.

'We don't have cattle in our family so for me it is a huge support; I cannot even express it in words. Before I had to buy diary products for my grandchildren, and I could rarely afford them. Now my children will have cheese and other products', said 60-year-old Mary, who received a dairy cow.

'In this region our organisation is implementing projects that really can change the financial situation of households. Livestock is the main source of income in this village. People in Khashmi were very active - they attended our training for farmers, and this was one of the reasons why we have chosen this village,' said Ina Berulava FSEI Extension Worker.

Traditionally the main source of income for villagers in the Kakheti region is their agricultural activity including cattle breeding, wine-growing and vegetable-growing.

As part of the initiative, World Vision has provided people in some 13 villages with high quality vegetable seeds and tree plants.

The broader Food Security Enhancement Initiative, implemented in four districts of Kakheti region, aims to help improve families' economic situation by improving farmers' capacity, crop and animal production, strengthen household income and facilitate the marketing and acquisition of food through the creation of farmer schools.