Manawatu’s generous goat gifts
The Manawatu community is full of Christmas spirit and a small Kenyan boy’s Christmas miracle has come to fruition by receiving a goat.
In the past decade the Manawatu region has gifted 371 goats to families in developing countries through ChildFund New Zealand’s Gifts that Grow catalogue. More than 8000 goats have been donated from New Zealand.
The goats go to Zambia, Kenya, Sri Lanka and Vietnam.
Robert is a talkative 8-year-old from Emali, Kenya. His family received a hybrid goat and, as a result of improved farming practices, the goats have bred and the family now have four.
Before receiving their goat, the family were struggling. They rarely drank milk, and couldn’t afford to buy basic items such as sugar and flour. The goats provide the family with nutritious milk and they are able to sell the surplus to buy additional food items.
The family all pitch in to help with the goats. Robert feeds them when he gets home from school, milks them and herds them safely into their pen for the night. The family hope to grow their goat business to further improve the lives of their children.
ChildFund New Zealand chief executive Paul Brown was thankful to the people of the Manawatu for helping to make a difference.
‘‘When you give a goat as a gift this Christmas you can lift a child out of poverty. For a family in a developing country, a goat represents much more than a pet,’’ Brown said.
‘‘As well as providing a valuable food source for families to feed their children, it also enables the family to earn an income and create a sustainable future, free from poverty.
‘‘Priced at $50, this year ChildFund would like to see 1000 goats purchased.’’