West Africa: Goat Project

Your gift of $27 enables a local pastor to give a she-goat to a destitute village child.  The goat's milk and offspring provide a source of income for food and education -- and the gift creates a lasting relationship between the child and the Church.  An estimated 100,000 children are waiting to benefit from the Goat Project.

Give now to support the Goat Project

More information--

M--- lives in a round mud hut with a thatched roof, in a small, rural Muslim village in West Africa. Only 8 years old, she is very, very poor and malnourished. Her village is in a dry, parched region. There is hardly any food in the house – water is extremely scarce. Her father suffers from a back injury and cannot work on his farm. Her mother is quite sick and she is almost blind. The first goat M--- was given died. But, because of generous partners like you, she has been given another female goat to raise. She will sell its offspring to pay her school fees and provide food for the family. In the midst of a Muslim-dominant society, M--- and her family accepted Christ and faithfully attend their tiny village chapel every Sunday.

L--- lives in a village in central Ghana. Even though he is 12 years old, he hasn’t been able to go to school very much. His mother died three years ago. L--- and his three brothers and three sisters have all become believers but their father is deeply involved in occultism, believing that one day it will make him rich. The children are often sick because of inadequate food and polluted water. Every day, L-- and his siblings pray that their dad will find Christ. L--- was given a goat to help provide for him and his family. When the goat gave birth to twins, there was much excitement and joy!

The Goat Project was designed by National Pastors in West Africa who were looking for a creative way to build relationships with the Muslim families in their communities. The widespread poverty and harsh climate create an environment that is bereft of hope. Into that hopelessness, a National Pastor befriends the family and offers their children a way to make some money, go to school and help support the family.

Why a Goat?
In the villages of Africa, children who come from broken households are dependant on the village. Since the villages are extremely poor, there isn’t much to be given to the children. With a goat, they now have food, milk and a source of income. Offspring from the goat can be sold to pay for food, clothes and education. The SHARE Fund provides money for the pastor of the village church to buy female goats for the children.

Who Can Get a Goat?
The aim of the project is to reach those children who are orphans or suffering extreme poverty. A child receiving a goat must be school aged, as one of the goals of the project is that the child be able to attend school. Village children are selected by the village pastor and a team that supports the Goat Project vision, in order to maintain the integrity of the project.

The Impact on the Children
The Goat Project has a significant spiritual impact. One child’s goat was delivered on a Sunday and this is what her Muslim father said: “The goat delivery on Sunday is a sign that God Himself is speaking to me about the need to go to church.” The Pastor seized the opportunity to share the Gospel with the Muslim father.

Most Muslim children who have been given a goat have started to attend church because they see tangible proof that Jesus loves them and is caring for them through the local believers! Owning a goat teaches the children to rely on God for the protection of their goats.

For most of these children, this was the first time they could call something their very own. It is our hope that these fortunate children will view their goat as a special gift from God and will count many blessings as a result of numerous offspring. The Goat Project is increasing the ministry to both children and their parents. What a wonderful opportunity!

There is a Great Need...
The Bible it says that what we “do for the least of these” we are really doing for Christ! Reports from National Pastors all over West Africa are telling us that the impact of this project is softening hundreds of hearts to the Good News of Jesus Christ. What better way to stop the sweeping spread of Islam than to introduce a Muslim to the Savior? There are thousands of children waiting for their goat — their visible proof that Jesus cares for them. Will you partner with us today to bring hope to the Children of Africa?