Children face starvation in Darfur now - urgent

Diversity Matters – How your help has transformed a family:  

You may already know that our aim is to help the poorest women in the remote villages of Darfur, Sudan, who are struggling to care for their families singlehandedly, in a region which not only suffers periodic droughts but continues to face debilitating conflict.  Sometimes however the communities ask us to help people in special need.    Meet 55 year old Mohammed (name changed) whose children have seen their lives transformed thanks to your gifts through Kids for Kids.  His wife Nawal received our Goat Loan and a donkey in 2007, because his disability meant the family was in real difficulty - “We had nothing, life was a daily struggle” he said "But then we were included in the Kids for Kids Goat Loan project. To receive 6 goats plus a donkey was almost unbelievable.  We had never been given anything in our lives before.   In fact, no one in the village had.  It was a dream." 

It would normally be the job of the women to look after goats and take them out to graze but, despite his mobility problems, Mohammed was determined to support Nawal in making the most of this incredible opportunity.  He decided to help by cultivating crops for fodder and ensuring the animals were vaccinated and regularly wormed. With money they earned from selling milk they sent their children to school and when they came home they helped by grazing the goats at a dried up riverbed.  It was a real family effort.   By 2009 Narwal had 19 goats and was able to pay forward 6 goats to another family.  Now, in 2015, they have 25 goats giving the family an income.  "I never imagined we would ever be able to own animals" said Mohammed.  "Just to survive was our ambition.  Now look - I have even been able to buy my children new clothes last Eid."  The family celebrated the birth of a new baby with their neighbours and invited them to a meal, with meat.   "I never imagined this would be possible" said Mohammed.  Their baby was safely delivered by the local Kids for Kids midwife!  Mohammed reports “We are very proud parents - our eldest daughter has now been accepted at ElFasher university, and the sale of a goat has enabled us to fund her studies”.  What a transformation, in just a few years.  These gifts really do keep on giving.   

Kids for Kids has adopted 70 villages over the past 14 years and we are determined to adopt 5 more in 2015.  Our integrated package of simple grassroots projects is proven, and it works because we have developed it hand in hand with local people, listening to what they tell us truly makes a difference.  Water keeps people and animals alive, and frees up time for education.  Goat Loans provide immediate milk for children and a chance of a family income, often for the very first time.  Women empowered in this way prioritise their spending on food, healthcare, education – all of which benefit their children.  Tree planting holds back the desert and provides another food source for the community. Kindergartens give children their first chance of education at a vital developmental stage.  All of these, and more, stop starvation in its tracks and transform the whole community for good – and it is working even now, despite the troubles and challenges in the region.  There are over 900 villages in Darfur, most facing desperate hunger this summer.  Thanks to you, we are making a difference, but many more families, like Mohammed's, need our help.  Thank you for your support!

$62 buys a little goat to provide milk for children

$45 provides a set of farm tools, so they won't have to dig by hand

$95 provides a donkey to carry water for people, animals and crops

$165 pays for 100 vaccinations to keep goats healthy and productive

$372 provides 6 goats for a family, and their offspring will provide for another family in 2 years time 

$535 supplies a revolving veterinary drugs fund to help sick aimals

$600 trains a paravet - the only animal care in the region 

Every penny goes a long way in Darfur.  Thank you for your support. 

Links:

• Kids for Kids website for more information
• Kids for Kids on Facebook - join the conversation!