Story by John Allen | External Relations Specialist | Heifer South Africa
Constance Masala, her husband and two children live in Musunda village, South Africa. For several years, their village suffered from a serious drought and the family survived month to month on a meager government grant.
A couple years after joining the Khongode Project in 2009, the family received five goats and livestock training from Heifer South Africa. During Heifer's training, Constance studied basic veterinary care and also trained her children to detect when the animals have fallen ill. Now she can correctly identify common diseases, properly measure medications, vaccinate livestock against diseases and assist during problematic births. She also learned how to protect her goats from baboons and jackals, which plague the village.
Through Heifer's training, Constance Masala and her children have learned how to properly care for their goats. Photo courtesy of Heifer South AfricaConstance has successfully reared eight more goats from her original five, which have brought joy to the Masala family and other impoverished families through Passing on the Gift® (POG). During a June 14, 2012 POG ceremony, Constance passed on a pregnant goat to project participant Gladys Munzhelele, which allowed Gladys to start a small-scale farming business.
"Our lives have changed," Constance said. "Every morning my husband and I and the kids go to the kraal to check if the goats slept well."
This Mother's Day, help women like Constance improve their livelihoods and provide for their families. Give your mother a gift of purpose and impact. Gift Different. Give Heifer.
This Mother's Day. Gift Different. Give Heifer. Photo courtesy of Heifer International