News Archive

Heifer South Africa gives a gift of 128 meat goats to rural families of St Faith and Creighton

Heifer South Africa gives a gift of 128 meat goats to rural families of St Faith and Creighton for a new start

Poverty and malnourishment could soon be a thing of the past for the people from Sukuma Project and Injabulo Ka Noah Project, two rural communities based in the south west region of KwaZulu Natal. At two official ceremonies held on 15 April 2009, these impoverished communities received 80 and 48 pregnant goats respectively from Heifer South Africa.

Heifer South Africa was introduced to the two projects in 2007. Since then the organisation has assessed and worked with these communities in order to determine which animals are suitable for the environment in which they live and also to teach them the Heifer principles that make the initiative so effective”.

The basic concept of the Heifer South Africa program includes members of a rural community receiving a pregnant animal - along with the information and resources to farm and care for this animal. By farming the animal the family will receive nutrition as well as a source of income through the sale of excess produce.

In order to ensure that the community is ready and capable of making a success of the opportunity being given to them, Heifer South Africa will continue to guide the community once the programme has been implemented. Heifer South Africa will continue to be involved with the Sukuma and Injabulo Ka Noah Projects for the next five years or until such a time that the communities are confident and prepared to be completely independent.

The community is both responsible and indebted to one another. According to the 12 Cornerstones that guide the project, it is the responsibility of the family that has received an animal to pass on the first female offspring, as well as their knowledge and training, to another family in need. As a result of ‘Passing on the Gift’ the Heifer South Africa project is maintained and the entire community is able to benefit.

Over the last 10 years Heifer SA has seen first-hand how the Heifer programme can transform the lives of rural communities. We know that this works and are therefore extremely excited for the families from Sukuma and Injabulo Ka Noah Project to be receiving these goats and to being able to assist them with improving their own lives.