Livestock for Orphaned Children in Congo

Charlie sends his thanks to our donors for his part in our agriculture project and says, “I cultivate according to the techniques taught to me.  I benefit greatly from my crops.  We have food within the family.”

Charlie’s family is also a beneficiary in our livestock project and he updates us, “I have finished my contract by returning 4 goats to the multiplication center.  We have already eaten the goat meat.”

Our partner in Congo has also updated us on Charlie’s children and the good conditions.  This includes great health reports (including taking their medication) and their school attendance and grades are the best they have ever been.  Hope was not even a word in this family’s vocabulary and now have it in abundance.  Your generosity has helped this sweet family.

Everyone here at the American Foundation for Children with AIDS, and our partners in Africa. thank you for your continued support of this important project.  If you would like to learn even more about this project and others, please contact Tanya Weaver at tweaver@AFCAids.org. 

In order to a good project that produces healthy animals, AFCA must add unexpected items to the mix, such as solar fridges. Yes! These are incredibly important because even in the heat and with no electricity, vaccines stay cool and are always ready for use with livestock. Thanks to donors through GlobalGiving and to some incredible students from Operation Days Work, AFCA was able to complement funding we had available and we purchased and delivered this incredible solar vaccine fridge to the Tandala region of the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

Let me introduce you to some people who are part of this great livestock project: Engineer Ndanda (in white) and Dani (in yellow), the mechanic and man in charge of making sure the fridge stays repaired and running well. These men work so hard to make sure that livestock stay healthy and that families are trained in how to care for them. Eng. Ndanda has a huge heart that just gives, gives and gives, teaching not only animal husbandry to beneficiary families, but also gardening and agronomy. He follows each family, making sure the children are well fed and that our work is going as planned.

It is truly an honor and a privilege to work with these men, knowing that the dream of lifting people out of abject poverty is not a dream anymore for families in this project, but it is a reality. Thank YOU for being part of this!

With gratitude as wide as the ocean,
Tanya, for the kids

Jenny and her children were chosen for the livestock program.  These days, they are feeling like master gardeners.  They were not always so positive and there were many struggles in the beginning.  Jenny's family counts on the support from our partner in Congo to help them with problems and questions.  Gardening has provided the family with food and the ability to sell their crops so they can pay for necessary life needs.  Needs such as school fees, clothing and the medical care of the family.

Jenny's family was also given three pigs as participants in the project.  This seemed to be easier to master than the gardening and they have already multiplied.  Jenny credits the veterinarian from a training seminary for her success in breeding the pigs.  She benn able to give two pigs to the multiplication center, leaving one to pay back to complete her contract.  Our families take the contracts seriously and are honored to give back to the community so their neighbors may also be successful in raising livestock.

The team here at the American Foundation for Children with AIDS thanks you for supporting this project and the work we do for the children in Africa.  As you start to make decisions regarding your end of year giving, please keep us in mind so we can continue our good work into 2018 and beyond.  We wish you a new year full of many blessings and as much hope as you have shared with us.  If you would like to learn even more about what we do or how you can meet some of the children you have helped, please contact Tanya Weaver at tweaver@AFCAids.org. 

Our partner recently visited Mel and his family to check on their progress.  Mel had a huge smile on his face as he said, “I want to thank the American Foundation for Children with Aids, for I am handicapped and they have helped me and my whole family.”  Mel’s family has produced many different types of vegetables, but have had the most success with beans.  They are thankful to have food in the family and a little money.  Just a little money allows them to share with others by giving their offering to the church.  Mel and his family feel like they are finally making a contribution to their community.

The report from our partner continues to tell us that the family received 3 rabbits from the project.  Those rabbits multiplied and Mel’s family was able to complete their contract.  They are able to sell rabbits and also use some of them for food for the family.  It’s a great accomplishment for them and they’re quick to encourage their neighbors to join them.

Mel’s children are healthy and well educated and he credits the livestock project for these blessings in his life.  Please know that your generosity is making a huge difference in life of this family and many others in the area.  Families are receiving the support and education they need to make this project successful.  We are changing lives, one family at a time.  Mel feels your love, and so do we at the American Foundation for Children with AIDS.

If you have questions or are interested in learning more about this program or others, please contact Tanya Weaver at tweaver@afcaids.org