Kimani lives in Arkatan village, a Maasai area, in Tanzania. He was initially suspicious of vaccines and only started administering the immunisation against East Coast Fever in 2004. East Coast Fever (ECF) has a high mortality rate with cows and the disease is rife in many parts of Tanzania, and Kimani quickly noticed the benefits when his herd of calves survived. He used to have 250 cows and now has 670. With the income from the sale of his livestock he has built five new homes and two water tanks. He was also able to send his children to an international school in nearby Arusha and contributed towards the building of a much needed water reservoir for his cattle with 10 other Maasai. Cattle are still central in Maasai traditions – they provide everything from food (meat and milk) to an income (sold for cash for school fees or medical care) and for ceremonial purposes as well as dowries for weddings. Although in the past this has served them well, in recent decades diseases such as ECF have been killing thousands of cows – and without cows, the very existence of the Maasai is threatened. Today, with the use of ECF vaccinations, Maasai are able to earn a good income through selling their livestock. The income pays for school fees, universities, cars and houses. With proof of its success, more than 90 per cent of the Maasai have decided to immunise their herds.

Kimani lives in Arkatan village, a Maasai area, in Tanzania. He was initially suspicious of vaccines and only started administering the immunisation against East Coast Fever in 2004. East Coast Fever (ECF) has a high mortality rate with cows and the disease is rife in many parts of Tanzania, and Kimani quickly noticed the benefits when his herd of calves survived. He used to have 250 cows and now has 670. With the income from the sale of his livestock he has built five new homes and two water tanks. He was also able to send his children to an international school in nearby Arusha and contributed towards the building of a much needed water reservoir for his cattle with 10 other Maasai. Cattle are still central in Maasai traditions – they provide everything from food (meat and milk) to an income (sold for cash for school fees or medical care) and for ceremonial purposes as well as dowries for weddings. Although in the past this has served them well, in recent decades diseases such as ECF have been killing thousands of cows – and without cows, the very existence of the Maasai is threatened. Today, with the use of ECF vaccinations, Maasai are able to earn a good income through selling their livestock. The income pays for school fees, universities, cars and houses. With proof of its success, more than 90 per cent of the Maasai have decided to immunise their herds.

Extracts from case studies by Anita Swarup.