Our Goats Aren’t Symbolic; They’re Real and Changing Lives
Holiday wish lists typically consist of the latest gadgets, electronics or trendy products. People don’t often put down items like “a goat for a family.” Well, we’re here to tell you why giving a goat (or other livestock) should be at the top of your holiday wish list this year!
Families want livestock
Plan International doesn’t decide that people should have goats – the community members decide. All of our projects are community-driven, which means local people identify the problems and challenges they’re facing, and the possible solutions. Local families highly value livestock – telling us time and time again that they see it as a great way to improve their lives.
Animals help improve children’s health
Protein is too expensive for poor families to buy, but milk and eggs from livestock provide children with essential nutrients. Fertilizer from manure helps grow nutritious vegetables, which means better health for the whole family.
They generate family income
Families sell milk, honey or produce from their garden to pay for healthcare and education for their children. Gifting a goat means helping provide families income for the future.
Goat project goals
The primary focus of the goat project is to assist vulnerable families with goats as an alternative source of income.
All of our Gifts of Hope products represent real projects in countries where we work. Each project can benefit multiple countries and goats are a part of two different products, so we can track impact from many different countries. In Zambia, the goat project reached over 6,000 families!

Emely’s family built this shelter for their goats.
Here’s what happens when a family receives goats:
- Families receive goats on a pass-on concept, which means they are required to pass-on the same number of goats they receive to another household after breeding.
- A family member will undergo training in Animal Health Management to ensure that the goats are healthy.
- After training, they are required to construct an improved goat shelter where goats are kept. This helps to reduce disease and improves the health of the goats.
Goats are a gateway to education
One of the beneficiaries of the goat project in Zambia was Emely, a sponsored child. Her parents struggled to send their children to school and some dropped out because of financial constraints.
Through the project, Emely’s family received 5 goats and within one year, they were able to pass-on the equivalent to another family.
Goats are a way to reduce poverty
Overall, goats or any livestock product in our Gifts of Hope catalogue help to improve the economic and social status of the families who benefit from the respective project. They are a vital source of income and nutrition for families and enable parents to afford their children’s education. And education is key to helping children thrive!
This holiday season, consider giving a gift that literally keeps on giving and helps change lives too!