Lucie and her husband, Pascal, farm and raise small livestock for a living. In the past, they were locked in a constant battle with the highly acidic soil; it produced “malnourished” crops that didn’t give a good harvest. As a result, their income was low. They only ate one meal a day an struggled to pay their sons’ school fees and supplies as well as medical insurance.

“The life in my family was tiresome,” Lucie remembers. “We were hopeless for the future.”

Their home was poorly constructed and they didn’t have good clothes, basic hygiene, or enough food to eat. Not only did these conditions contribute to frequent physical illnesses, they also made the family sick at heart. “We felt lonely while attending community and church services,” Lucia explains. “We felt abandoned and ashamed.”

Material poverty strikes at the very heart of a family, something that can be even more painful than an empty stomach.

 Hope Dawns for Lucie’s Family 

Thankfully, through gifts like yours, Lucie and Pascal were able to get a goat! After which they took FH agricultural training. They were able to learn how to properly care for their new herd and how to test their soil for acidity which allowed them to start a vegetable garden. With the help of her sturdy goats and vegetables, she strengthened her children’s nutrition and health. They’ve also started generating some income from their farm, which steadily brought up their standard of living.

But, perhaps, the biggest change for Lucie is relational.

 “I feel safe, secure, and loved within my family. I’ve developed rich relationships with both my husband and my children. We feel supported and encouraged to pursue our interests and talents. I have the ability to develop lasting friendships.”

Through a few goats, Lucie and Pascal were able to address their physical, emotional, spiritual, and relational needs— they are empowered to overcome poverty.

You too can help families like Lucie's rise out of poverty, we're not kid-ing around!

Give a Goat