Goats and Donkeys Transform Lives in Darfur

Kids for Kids turns 20 on the 8th March, and we are so humbled by the number of goats and donkeys that you helped to provide, that have been supporting thousands of families across the years. Not just from the initial goat loan but from the subsequent rotations after two years, in which 5 goats from the original flock are given to another family in need.

However, the need for goats and donkeys is greater than ever in Darfur. In the grip of an economic crisis, inflation is still increasing in Sudan - at last count, it was over 250%.  As many families are surviving on just a single meal a day malnutrition and starvation are a very real threat. 

By providing 5 nanny goats to a family a mother is able to feed her children the milk, turning their health around. Mothers are able to earn a living by selling excess milk, this income can be used to send her children to school. A donkey given to a family helps to lighten the burden of water collection which usually falls to women and children - allowing a child time to gain an education. If a donkey dies there is no chance of a family affording to replace it.   Donkeys are the only means of transport.  If you don't have a donkey, the only alternative is to walk, often many miles across the desert for every drop of water.

The difference these animals can make in someone's life is extraordinary!

Because conditions in Darfur were rapidly deteriorating, in 2020 we made the decision to adopt eight, instead of five, communities. We were only able to do this because of the generosity of supporters like you. Because of you, last year 270 families received a donkey to help carry water, take children to school, allow mothers and fathers to provide for their children.

These same families were given 1,375 nanny goats to give hungry children nutritious milk and 90 billy goats to help grow the flocks and livelihoods.

We are so very grateful for your help during these trying times, but whilst we should be celebrating good news like this, it is also a reminder that there are so many more families who deserve the same opportunity to determine their own future.

For the people of Darfur, a goat can mean the difference between life or death, a goat can be a beacon of hope and the possibility of a brighter future.

Every parent should be able to sleep at night knowing her children are well-fed and healthy - will you help us provide more goats and donkeys to more families in need?

Donkeys are a vital lifeline to the people of Darfur at the best of times. The harsh environmental conditions people and families have to live with every day make life a struggle. The relentless heat of the sun, droughts in some areas, flooding in others. This is why we provide goats and donkeys to families. They provide necessary sustenance to hungry children in the form of goats milk, donkeys helping with everyday tasks such as collecting water or firewood. These animals help to lighten the load.

However, times have never been harder for the people of Darfur. Sudan has declared an economic emergency as inflation soars, reaching a staggering 167% in August and is still rising. The price of basic staples has gone through the roof. Everyone in Sudan is struggling but when disasters like this happen, it is often the most in need that are the ones hit the hardest.

In the midst of the disaster Kids for Kids has some happy news. Two of the recently adopted villages in Darfur, Abu Sinait, and Um Ajaja have just received their lifelines, new goats for the most in need! Smiling faces of the mothers and excitement of the children expresses their delight and what must be relief! This is what we accomplished with your help. So on behalf of the people who have already received their goats and donkeys, we thank you.

However, we must provide more goats to feed more starving children, we must provide more donkeys to share the hard work. Families have never been more in need. There are thousands more still waiting for help. We can not turn our backs on the people of Darfur - Kids for Kids is there for these people in the darkest of times - will you?

For $70 you can provide a single goat to a family or provide a little donkey that will help a family collect water for $95 but any amount no matter how small will go to the greatest need for the people of Darfur.