Farm Goats; a practical way to end child labor and to help micro farmers

Susan Purcell: Sanma Intern, Summer 2008- India

One pair of farm goats can replace the income of a child laborer Supplying farm goats to micro farmers and child laborers would in most cases make the difference between freedom or bonded labor of children Through breeding and milk, the animals replace the income of the child, allowing him/her a childhood Charitable Gift Opportunities Educate a micro-farmer better farming methods $48 Give a pair of goats for a farmer family $55 Sponsor dairy water buffaloes $300 A pair of plowing animals $350 Build a village school for child laborers (CEC) $6000 Related Articles A pair of plowing animals triples the income of a farm laborer Dairy animals allow parents to provide education for their children

It has been said that the goat is the poor man’s cow and in India the goat can serve the farmer from horn to hoof. During a visit this summer to India, I attended a Literacy Graduation in a rural village in southeast India. One of the graduates told his story about how a pair of goats had helped him.

His story described the incredibly effective way Sanma has found to offer the destitute families in rural south Asia a better life, and more importantly, something that each child deserve: a childhood! How, through the gift of a basic training and a pair of farm goats!

What does Sanma do to stop child labor?

Children who complete the free classes at Sanma’s Community Education Centers become eligible to receive animals such as a pair of goats through Sanma. Caring and professional educators at these village schools restores their dignity, and recognize their value. At these village schools less fortunate children receive education, and hope. To keep them at school, Sanma provide their families animals, sewing machines etc, replacing the income of the child laborer.

Through breeding and nutritious milk that can be sold at the local market, these hardy little farm goats become the symbol of freedom for the child who otherwise will be forced to work long hours, often in hazardous working conditions.

This simple program has offered a second chance for many children, as is the case with Baidu: Baidu’s mother is seriously ill. His father died when he was 12, leaving the burden of family on his shoulders. His childhood came to an end as he started to work at the cotton factory. Although he is thankful he can provide for his dear mom, the cotton lint he breathes in everyday makes him sick.

He wishes if he could afford a pair of farm goats, or a few animals! He can easily raise the goats. Even his mother can help in that work, and they can live! Yes, with the income produced by a pair of farm goats a child laborer and his ailing mother could survive. And they did. Baidu provided for his mother till the end of her life recently. This real life story is similar to those of the 24 million child laborers. They never have a childhood, and work more hours each day, than the number of their age, often in hazardous working conditions.

A pair of goats became a miracle in the life of Baidu. And there are millions more children who are waiting for such a miracle, a miracle you can be today!

Please use the link below to sponsor farm goats for children like Baidu.

Sponsor a pair of goats:                         $55/ pair » Sponsor Now
Sponsor a pair of plowing animals:          $250/ pair   » Sponsor Now
Sponsor Water buffaloes:                       $300/ animal   » Sponsor Now

Or you may call us at 888 999 7997 to make a tax deductible contribution over the phone. For more opportunities to become a miracle in another life today, visit our online gift catalog.