Fourteen-year-old Desta has benefited from child sponsorship—from school uniforms and stationary to receiving a goat when he was just eight years old. He has since raised a small flock of goats, which have made a huge difference for his once struggling family.

Before partnership with FH, their rural farming community in Sasiga battled termite infestations, fall armyworms, and high soil acidity, making it hard to grow crops. Spiritually, emotionally, and socially, Desta’s family longed for more. But they were in survival mode.

Desta was often kept home to help with chores instead of going to school. Even worse, there wasn’t enough food. Desta admits, “I feel angry as I recall some of the events that happened in my life. There was a time of starvation when I went to school with no food.”

Goats and coffee help Desta overcome

Through child sponsorship, Desta’s family attended workshops that helped them tackle their challenges and increase farm production. They started receiving FH Gift Guide gifts like tree seedlings, garden tools, and vegetable seeds. And they worked—their harvest multiplied five times!

Today, his family earns an income by selling crops, milk, honey, vegetables, and even coffee. This diversified income stabilized the family— they now have enough to eat and prioritize Desta’s education.

“After I became a sponsor child I became active in my learning. My family gave attention to our education and supported me,” Desta explains.

Desta’s goat was also a big help: “I sold the [goat] offspring and purchased a 0.25 hectare coffee farm. Part-time, I manage my coffee farm as well as the goat,” Desta says smiling. Child Sponsorship and FH partnership radically changed Desta’s childhood and are shaping him into a young man with hopes and skills for the future. “I am very pleased about my life!” he says.

You have the ability to help more children like Desta.

Sponser a Child