Goats and Donkeys Transform Lives in Darfur

At 21 years old, Naima was selected to be a Kids for Kids Beneficiary, bcause she was one of the poorest in her village. Naima and her husband have three children to support and were in desperate need of help. Naima received five goats from the Animal Loan Committee, a donkey, mosquito nets, blankets and more.  With these possessions, which she could not have dreamt of owning before, she is able to help take control of her family’s future. The first year Naima had six kid goats born, and last year she had a further 11! Today, after two years of hard work, 23-year-old Naima has the biggest flock in Aefin Village - 22 Goats!

Naima has benefitted hugely from her goats, gaining milk for her children, making yoghurt to sell at the market, and distributing milk to help even her neighbours in need. Everyone needs a helping hand.  After improving her own family's situation, it only felt right to do what she can for her neighbors also in need. What's more is that Naima has used her donkey to help plough her farm, where she is cultivating Mellit and Watermelon. After the last rainy season there was a very good harvest and alongside selling surplus milk at market, Naima has vastly improved her family's income.

We are so glad that our goats have helped Naima so much. And we are thrilled that the rotation of goats took place in Aefin village last month and six of Naima's younger goats have gone on to benefit another family in the village!

Good news like this is so welcome at a time when times are so difficult in Sudan. Stephane Dujarric, spokesman for UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, said in early September that some 6.3 million people - or 14 percent of the Sudan's population - are experiencing crisis or worse levels of food insecurity, the highest on record since the introduction of the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification in Sudan in 2007. Basic essentials like bread are currently unaffordable, and so many young ones are going without food. 

The more people you can tell about our life changing work in Darfur, the more donations we might get, and therefore the more children we can help to have a better future. Thank you for supporting our work.

With all that is happening in Sudan right now, at least there is finally rain. The heat in Europe we've all heard about has come from the Sahara in Africa. It may be pleasant for us, but can you imagine what the temperature of 50 C means where there is no electricity, no air conditioning and no way to cool down?

Rain is an absolute necessity, but not reliable, in Darfur where families rely on what they can grow for food. Luckily for our Goats and Donkeys, grass is the first thing to grow, which will provide nutrients for the animals. If the rains continue then animals will flourish and hopefully have twins!! Can you imagine how lucky that would be for families with growing flocks?  In bad years nanny goats will have only one kid, or sometimes none at all.

When communities choose beneficiary families, a part of the training in animal husbandry includes training to collect grass once it is long enough and store it correctly so it is sufficient for the next hungry season. We must always think ahead in terms of everything Kids for Kids does because of the harsh and changing climate in Darfur, where each year brings new challenges.

We thank you all for your generous support, and encourage you to give more goats (and donkeys!) so families will have a better chance. Every goat you give plays an instrumental part in changing the life of a child who has no other hope.