Project Update:

— Kris, Marj, Linda & Louise from Ohio

I currently have 20 goats, including six young kids. I started with just four goats, but over time my herd has grown, and they are now an important part of my family’s livelihood.

— Dan from Ohio

I received my first goats in 2021. Some of them have since been sold, while others have given birth to kids.

— Aspen from Florida 

I raise Black Bengal goats, which is a local breed that does well in our region.

— Ralph from Illinois

I live in Kishanpur Mohaniya village, in Muzaffarpur District of Bihar. Our area is known as the litchi capital of India. There are grazing areas nearby, but I also provide my goats with green fodder and azolla so they stay healthy.

— Elizabeth from Colorado

I raise the goats for breeding and selling, which provides income for my family.

— Jane from Massachusetts

With Heifer’s support, I was able to get a loan of 20,000 rupees (about $240). I used this to buy my first four goats and build a small shed. From there, with training and care, the herd grew.

— Cynthia from Texas

Yes, those four goats were the first in my herd. Right now I focus on goats, but in the future I might raise other animals as well. Goats are very special to me because they gave me the confidence to start my business and are my area of expertise.

— David from Arizona

They are healthy and strong. I follow practices I learned from Heifer, like regular vaccinations, deworming and providing nutritious fodder.

— Jean from Texas 

I give my goats nutritious fodder, clean water and proper shelter. I also vaccinate and deworm them regularly. The goats provide income when I sell them, and they have helped me build a better future for my children.

— Ruth from Florida

Yes, both of my children are in school. My son, Priyanshu, is in class 9, and my daughter, Khushi, is in class 7.With the money from my goats, I can now pay for them to both attend private schools. I pay 500 rupees ($6.02) for each child each month.

— Amy from North Carolina

Yes, they do. Khushi especially loves learning and dreams of becoming a doctor or civil servant one day. Priyanshu hopes to be a businessman.

— Mike from Florida

They do small things like feeding the goats or playing with them, but I want them to focus on their studies. My daughter has a special bond with the goats and gives them pet names.

— Karen from Iowa

My daughter dreams of becoming a doctor or civil servant, and my son wants to be a businessman. I hope that seeing my hard work and how I run my business will help them both.

— Mary Beth from Massachusetts

Like many Indian parents, I hope my children will learn English. I believe it will give them more opportunities in the future.

— Hannah from Illinois

I want my children to have more opportunities than I did. When I was a girl, I dreamed of becoming a doctor, but my family could not afford the cost of those studies. Even buying school supplies was sometimes too much. My mother would tell me to “manage with whatever you have.” That experience still stays with me. I don’t want money to hold my children back. Now, with the income from my goats, I can pay their school fees and give them the resources they need. My greatest hope is that they will be able to follow their dreams without the barriers I faced.

— Karisa from Iowa

I always believed education was important. Even when I faced challenges, I wanted to continue learning. Heifer’s training gave me new skills and the courage to try something different by raising goats.

— Harriet from New Jersey

I first learned about Heifer in 2021 during a self-help group meeting in my village. That is where my journey began.

— Franklin from Maryland

At first, I doubted whether goat farming could really help us. Also, it was not easy to gain confidence in a community where women often do not work outside the home. My husband’s support in this patriarchal society was very important for my growth. And once I saw results, my courage grew.

— Sam from Virginia

The goats provide income when I sell them, and the training has allowed me to offer veterinary services to others. Together, these help pay for my children’s schooling and improve our daily life.

— Jan from New Jersey

People call me whenever their goats are sick or need vaccinations, and I go to help. I remember the first time someone called me. The goat had a temperature of 105, and after I gave the injection it started trembling. I was so scared I had done something wrong, but soon it recovered and was healthy again. That moment gave me confidence. Now, when people call, I feel proud knowing they trust me to care for their animals and their livelihoods.

— Suzanne from New York

The goats have completely changed my life. They gave me income, independence and confidence. I am known in my village as someone who helps others with their animals, and everyone knows my name.