Goats distribution

Shortly before Christmas last year, we had the opportunity to sit down with a few men from a village; we had visited before. It was an assessment trip to see how we could help the village, what they would like to see accomplished. We talked about different micro-enterprise projects: bead making, rabbits, chickens … what they really wanted were 20 goats.  Andy and I went away discussing what we could do. We remembered that when we had a conversation with FFP (Food for the poor), that they are specifically working with villages around Port-au-Prince area, with animal husbandry. We decided to try and connect FFP with the village.

First meeting with the pastor and three men from the committee

In February, we checked with Food for the Poor, if they had decided to work with the village.  What we heard was, that they had discussed the possibility of a goat project and their agronomist had added the church to the list of potential goat beneficiaries. Funds were requested to aid the church to purchase 46 goats, along with three small water pumps for irrigation. How exciting was that. 

In April we had a meeting with them all together to see how the program will proceed. Pictures below.

Meeting with FFP and committee together

Just before we went to Ethiopia, the appointment was set for the 4^th June to distribute 46 goats. Because we were occupied on this day, the Pastor and village really wanted us to join on this special day, they postponed it another week. So last Tuesday we went to the village to see the goats being given away. There were goats everywhere in the courtyard. 

Kids are listening to how they should care for their goats

The goats were specifically given to the kids of the school, or parents whose kids are still too young to look after a goat. We suggested that the first baby each goat will have, should be given to the church, so this baby goat can be given to another child. The program will continue. FFP picked up the idea and people actually had to sign a contract for it. Older people who weren't able to sign their name with a pen, needed to sign with their finger print. The goal with the goats is that the children will support their families, pay their school fees with the money they receive when they sell the following offspring’s.

Lady signs with her thumb

Here some pictures from children and adults who received a goat.

I like this photo, because it reminds me how people in Germany or England look like when they walk their dogs

I like this picture too, because both of them are dressed in the same colour , smile

What was interesting for me was, that even though everybody was so thankful, nobody wanted to smile on the photos. They all wanted to look serious, because that is what people do here in their culture (also the same in Africa). I guess people don't want to be seen as disrespectful.   Despite that, it was truly a day of joy and gratitude and it was our privilege to be part of this special distribution day.