Goats for Hope - To be Continued...
Donation protected
Hello,
My name is Laurie.
And I'm raising funds for
People in need in Uganda
to have a goat.
This is what the donations will be used for.
We might consider this falling under the category of
Hopes and Wishes
in Uganda.
This may include
Community Development
in the Teso Region of Uganda.
Empowering Women.
Education for children.
Assistance for farmers.
And giving a hand up
to Single Moms and Dads.
And children who don’t have a
Father or a parent
present in their life right now.
To build hope for their futures.
The way we do this is through
giving sustainable gifts.
Which can uplift a person’s
chance to better their own lives.
Specifically,
in the Teso Region.
Mostly in the Community of Kaberamaido.
I fell in love with Uganda and Ugandan People
back in 2014.
When I was invited to do wound care,
by a man named Funwi Tita, a man from Cameroon.
Funwi had begun an organization called
"Making a Difference International,"
after writing government grants for people in Uganda.
Who had similar experieces to himself.
As an African Child living in poverty and in need of help.
Someone had given a cow to their family.
And through hard work,
he was able to eventually come to the United States.
And today he is thriving with his family.
So, after engaging in feeble attempts at wound care
in the Teso region,
it became clear to me
that people needed more help than I was personally able to give.
After which time,
I contacted some people who were higher up in authority
in Uganda.
Who seemed to be caring about human rights.
And working in that direction.
I became friends with a Lawyer and various people
who carried more authority within the Country.
I really considered this a high honor,
and I still do.
And as much as my heart is drawn towards people who are struggling in various ways,
I came to understand that in order to be of service,
it is often important to work with people who have enough influence in a community,
to work towards positive outcomes together.
Although I have been fortunate enough to meet several Lawyers and other influential people,
the Lawyer I primarily work with is named Roseline.
I wanted to understand what Ugandan
People were hoping for.
Regarding what they saw as their own hopes and dreams,
problems and solutions.
I would have never guessed that the answer would be in goats and cows.
But, that is what the community really wants and needs.
Most of them are farmers.
And they make their livelihoods this way.
Goats are useful for eating weeds and sticks and other things
that humans can't or won't,
which get in the way of gardening.
So, I began to follow a Ugandan Lawyer around.
And work with her on her hopes and dreams.
In her
"Cradle of Love and Hope,"
initiative.
Which was created to come along side of vulnerable people in Uganda.-
And give them a hand-up,
for sustainability.
Vulnerable people,
or friends in need of a hand-up,
include,
but are not limited to:
orphans, widows, child-headed households, domestic servants,
people in need of health care and their families,
single Moms, single Dads, people in prison and their families.
Over the years,
and with your incredible help and partnership,
we've been able to assist people living with malaria,
cancer, HIV, mental illness and addiction.
And be of service to them.
And to their loved ones left behind after they pass away.
And we’ve been able to visit
people in prison eight times,
with meaningful physical and legal assistance.
As well as food, water, mattresses, chairs, tents, shoes, hand soap,
laundry soap, and family reunions to name a few.
It's been a real joy when people are released from prison,
and welcomed back into the community.
One reason why there are so many widows and orphans,
is because many of the men lost their lives.
Or ended up in prison.
We were moving from one prison visitation to the next,
when we stopped at a large hut in a village called Kaberamaido
where a group of widows were fasting and praying for three days,
and three nights,
that someone would bring them goats.
Being out of resources for people in prison,
I hesitated to help with the goats,
because we still had two more prisons to visit.
And not enough to share.
We shared a little sugar, oil and water to begin with.
Roseline and I each decided to purchase one goat.
One male and one female.
We gave them to the widows to see if they could breed them
and help their children and community.
Years later,
there is a thriving community.
A community that appeared to be almost on the edge of not surviving
a decade ago.
They are still struggling,
but there is so much hope and rejoicing right now with the goats.
Once a person has a goat,
they begin to receive respect in the Community.
Once they have a goat,
they can begin to multiply the goats.
The goats will eat the weeds and prepare the soil for gardening.
When someone has a goat, and they gain respect, and can grow their own food,
they can also multiply the goats,
and obtain a cow.
Once they have a cow,
they can build a home.
They can purchase land.
They can educate their own children.
Decreasing the need to rely on others for their children’s school fees.
They can trade some of their resources for tools.
And pay for health care.
These friends are not going to kill and eat their goats.
They will love and care for the animals.
Because the animals help them to improve their lives.
Women become empowered.
And when women are empowered,
children are cared for and educated.
Men are fed and housed.
And they can also work towards Community Development and human rights.
And perhaps work towards learning a trade.
And the world becomes a better place.
This is the butterfly effect.
One experience of beauty and love creates a ripple effect for others.
This is a sustainable initative.
Once one person's goat has a kid,
they give the kid to the next beneficiary.
And once one person has four to eight goats,
they can trade them for a cow.
This gives people both practical assistance
and respect in the community.
We do this every year for fun and for free.
It raises happy hormones for the givers and the recievers.
And makes the world a better place.
And we could all use some lighthearted happiness
right about now.
Goats are getting more expensive over time.
But,
I always request $40.00 for a goat.
Because that was the first price that we paid.
And I want everyone to be able to join in the joy.
If you can't afford $40.00,
$5.00 is great!
If you can afford more,
there's no end in sight to the need.
What ever you can give will be received with joy and love.
Thank you in advance.
Donations will be used to help a vulnerable person,
or a friend who could use a hand-up,
in Teso Uganda
to receive a goat.
And improve their lives.
They will continue to receive
Community Care
After receiving the goat.
To ensure the wellbeing of
the person and the animal.
They will also receive a
“Goat Satisfaction Survey,”
so that continued work can be sustained
and improved.
The sooner the donations come in,
The better.
Because it would be so fun
for people to receive their goats
on or before Christmas!
People do not have to celebrate
or believe in Christmas
to receive the goats.
But regardless,
they will be happy to receive!
Gifts are best when given
by a joyful giver.
With no strings attached.
The people who receive these gifts,
will also have a turn to be the giver
the next time around.
When so much love is given and received
at the
Empowering Women’s Conference.
Although the conference is primarily attended by women,
it is also attended by men and children.
And the youngest recipient so far
to receive a goat,
is only four years old!
And the Community is helping him
to raise it!
Thanks for joining in this exciting journey!
Please read updates on this fundraiser and on my regular Facebook page.
Photos taken and posted with individual and community consent.
If possible,
please send your donations by
December 15.
Thank you!
It takes a village!
It takes a worldwide family of love ❤️.
Happy Holidays Everyone!
Many Blessings to you and yours!
Love,
Laurie
Organizer
Laurie Farrand
Organizer
Minneapolis, MN