The Goat Project: Empowering Rural Children in Ethiopia
In late 2019, our Pastor in Ethiopia, Samson, noticed a gap in the support available to children in rural villages. While many ministries and NGOs focused on urban areas, the rural villages were often overlooked. These small, remote communities are home to a large number of orphans and children in need. The responsibility for caring for them falls on the villagers, who, despite their best efforts, already face crushing poverty.
In these communities, children are raised by “parental” figures, giving them a unique sense of family. While this communal way of life is beautiful, it also presents challenges, as the needs of these children often exceed the community’s limited resources.
To address this, we launched the Goat Project with a vision to support these children where they live. Rather than removing children from their villages to place them in orphanages, we aim to help them thrive within their own communities.
How It Works:
Goats are a powerful tool in the fight against poverty. They provide children with an opportunity to generate income, ownership, and a sense of pride. The goats reproduce quickly, and their milk offers both nourishment and the chance to earn money by selling the surplus within the community.
With the income from selling milk, children can purchase essentials such as food, school uniforms, and school supplies, helping them build a better future without leaving the community they call home. Raising goats comes at no additional cost, as they graze freely in the fields near the village, making this project sustainable for the long term.
Why It Matters:
A goat isn’t just an animal — it’s a lifeline. It represents a chance for a child to rise above the circumstances of poverty and gain valuable skills in responsibility, entrepreneurship, and self-sufficiency. Your support can empower these children to create a future filled with opportunities, right in their own communities.