Give a Goat, Change a Life

Phoebe found Annet as a little girl cracking rocks in a quarry to add to their income. (Side note: Annet, my sponsored daughter, turned out to be really bright and is currently in a challenging high school with plans to go to college.) Annet's mom raised her goats given by DCM and eventually sold them to buy a cow which was a big step up. She also sold milk and was able to save enough money to buy a brick two-room home with a concrete floor in the nearest town center with Annet's father. It had a cloth drape entry and a hole knocked through to access the second room. They had some furniture and warmly welcomed us to visit and even bought us soft drinks. It was a great celebration with prayers of thanksgiving to our great God...

Giving a goat is one way we empower women who are in desperate situations. Frequently, these women have been widowed or abandoned by their husbands and they have children to care for. Often, the women have very little education and are not skilled to earn a living. We provide a goat and give follow-up to see that the goat is properly cared for. In return, the women return to us one of the two kids that the goat usually has in the first year. Not only does this provide income for the women, but it also boosts their self-esteem to realize that they can care for an animal—something they had not previously had the opportunity to do. The cost of a goat is $75.

Special thanks to Dr. Mary Cay Koen for her help in writing this post!