Give A Child A Goat - The Uganda Goat Project

In Uganda, children with disabilities are an added responsibility for families already struggling to make a living. Due to the lack of understanding as to the cause of their differences, they are often feared and neglected because of traditional beliefs that their problems are due to "supernatural" causes. There are few support services and the children are usually not welcome in the available schools. As a result, children with disabilities are often hidden away to spare the family shame. With limited understanding about the capacities of children with disabilities, families have few expectations and the children have few opportunities.

After a child receives a goat so much changes!

The Give a Child a Goat Project elevates the status of children with disabilities and their families. A child with a disability who owns a goat holds a valued position in local Ugandan society, since goats provide families with a sustainable livelihood of food and milk. Caring for a goat gives a child self-confidence and pride and proves that he or she is capable of being a productive member of the community.

Most children with disabilities in Africa will not receive any support services in their lifetime.

50 million people in Africa are disabled. 2% have access to any form of rehabilitation; 90% of children with mental disability die before age.

Source: UN Population Information Network

The process is simple and straightforward.

Your donation of $45.00 US is used to buy a female goat and will provide the necessary follow-up and support to the child, family and the goat. Training is provided for the children and their families on how to care for the goats if they do not have prior experience. Through cooperative breeding with other goat owners in the community, one goat becomes two then three within just the first year!

The Transcultural Psychosocial Organization (TPO) Uganda, a local non-governmental organization (NGO), trains local community based workers to offer support and guidance to parents to ensure that children with disabilities are given as many opportunities as possible to thrive in their communities.

After your donation is received and a child receives a goat, you receive by post or email a THANK YOU CERTIFICATE with your name, the child's name and a picture of the child and goat.

The Give a Child a Goat Project is made possible through the collaborative efforts of the Transcultural Psychosocial Organization (TPO) Uganda, Global Psycho-Social Initiatives (GPSI) and the Polus Center for Social & Economic Development, Inc.