See the Change Your Goat Is Making!
See the difference your goat made in a year
Since receiving your generous gift of a goat, the family has focused on diversifying their farm and starting a business selling milk to increase their income. Now, they share their good fortune with others, as you did for them.
From the family whose lives you changed and from all of us at Heifer for understanding why we do what we do — THANK YOU.
To help us tell the story of amazing change, would you take a short survey about what you’ve learned about your gift this year?
Thank You
Thriving Thanks to You
Angura has seen success raising goats, but the knowledge gained extends far beyond the herd. With sustainable farming techniques to improve her crops and training to keep her other livestock healthy, she’s diversified and expanded her income. In three years, Angura has sold 18 goats, earning 85,000 taka ($1,002.13 USD) and giving herself a source of income year-round. She used the money to buy more land and a bicycle so her son no longer has to walk to school.
BANKING ON SUCCESS
Accessing financial services can be extremely difficult for farmers, especially in rural areas like where Angura lives. The solution? Savings banks where farmers can pool their money and provide low-interest loans to members. Angura has almost paid off the 30,000-taka ($353.69 USD) loan she took from her group to buy a small cow. She took out another loan to buy land. She now has 1.2 acres on which she grows bottle gourd, wheat, guava and coriander. Some is for her family, and she sells the rest for income.
BLEAT-ING THE ODDS FOR THE FUTURE
Instead of asking others for help, Angura now shares what she has with others — often gifting vegetables she grows. Angura hopes to expand her herd to eight mother goats and three milking cows. What she really wants, and the reason she works so hard, is a better future for her son and daughter. With kindhearted people like you rooting for her, she believes it will happen.
Years from now, you might not remember the gift you gave. But the family in Bangladesh who received your goat will never forget the person who changed their lives.
The Journey of Your Goat
- A family joins a Heifer project and learns how to care for goats
- The family receives their own goat
- The family drinks the goat’s milk and grows their herd
- The family joins a cooperative and earns extra income selling milk and goats
- The family diversifies their farm and starts a business
- The family passes on their gifts to others
- The family THRIVES! (You are here!)
So Much More Than A Goat
When Angura joined the Strengthening Beef and Goat Market System project where your goat went, she was excited about the idea of receiving livestock. However, she gained assets and benefits far beyond the animal itself — as did the family who welcomed your goat!
When the family welcomed your gift of a goat, they also received other resources to ensure their farm’s success.
Along with her goat, Angura also received:
FODDER SEEDS
Angura now feeds her livestock fodder grown from Napier fodder seeds and cuttings.
ANIMAL VACCINES
With vaccines, vitamins and deworming medicine, Angura keeps her herd healthy.
GARDEN SEEDS
Angura grows nutritious produce to feed her family, share with neighbors, and sell.
MILK
Between her goats and dairy cow, Angura collects one to five gallons of milk a day, which she gives to her family or sells.
FERTILIZER
Angura’s livestock produce plenty of dung, which makes great FREE fertilizer. Angura spreads this to help her crops grow.
HOPE
Angura and her family finally see a future where they don’t have to struggle every day — a future filled with hope (and goats!).
Activity Pack
To celebrate your gift, download your Activity Pack. Test your skills with our word search and crossword puzzle.
Why Bangladesh?
Bangladesh's low-lying land, coupled with its geographical location, leaves the country highly vulnerable to high sea levels, frequent cyclones and unusual rainfall. The tumultuous climate negatively impacts agriculture — which employs almost half the nation’s workforce. As one of the world’s most densely populated countries, Bangladesh also faces a deficit in beef and goat production, despite the huge demand.