After his father died, Peter's family never had enough to eat. "My mother could only afford to buy beans and vegetables—but never meat," he says. Every Christmas, Peter's family would scrape together everything they had for a meal. "We would struggle to buy a little meat, but it was never enough."
Today, Peter lives in COTN's Uganda Children's Village, where he always gets enough to eat. And thanks to generous people like you who gave goats through the COTN Gift Catalog last year, meat is no longer a rare treat for Peter and all the other children there.
 |
| Peter now lives in a place where he always has enough to eat, thanks to people like you! |
They started out with just a few goats two years ago, thanks to your gifts. The children and staff at the Children's Village bred and cared for them well, and now they have more than a dozen goats!
Peter and his friends at the Children's Village have been enjoying learning to care for them. "I am learning about being a veterinarian, because now I can tell if one is sick," explains Samuel, an older boy who has been very involved in caring for the goats. "In the future, I will be able to successfully raise my own."
 |
| The children started out with just a few goats a few years ago, but their herd is growing quickly! |
The house mothers at the Children’s Village have appreciated the experience of raising goats as well. "The children have learnt that costs in a family can be reduced by raising animals, and they can become a source of food and income as well," explains Mama Lucy, one of the house mothers. She also loves how the goats remind the children that animal raising has always been an important part of Ugandan culture.
Mama Lucy was never so proud as when the boys got together and, of their own accord, decided to build a shelter for the goats. "They have learnt that the goats are worth care, love, and protection," she smiles.
 |
| The children decided to build this goat shed on their own! |
Their hard work has a great reward. On Christmas Day, and special birthday celebrations, the children get to enjoy goat meat.
For Peter, this is a big deal. It is a reminder of how abundantly God has blessed him through your generosity. "It is a good source of food for us," says Peter. "One goat can feed more than twenty kids!"
Samuel agrees—a roasted goat makes the perfect Christmas dinner. "Goats on Christmas Day make us feel as a whole family with parents who love and care to provide the best for their children," he says. "It's a real celebration".
Give a child like Peter the chance to care for and raise their own source of sustainable food. Give a goat this Christmas!
