Goats and Donkeys Transform Lives in Darfur

Handpumps across Five of our villages in Darfur have now been repaired, restoring access to clean water for families who had been struggling without a nearby source. The ongoing conflict in Sudan, one of the world's worst humanitarian crises, makes repairs difficult to arrange, and getting the right parts is a real challenge when access to resources is so limited. In June we were able to reach Five Kids for Kids Villages to repair handpumps that have been sat idle. A real success for the communities of Kindro, Gawir, Um Kadadda, Um Ga'al and Byna that now have access to the water they need, much closer to home than before.

A working handpump is about so much more than drinking water. For women and girls, it brings safety and security. Having clean water close to home means they do not have to make long and often dangerous journeys across the desert, where temperatures soar above 100F (37C) and they can be vulnerable to violence. Access to clean water also helps protect families from waterborne diseases such as cholera, improving the health of both children and their parents.

And of course the Goats and Donkeys are much happier with water nearby! Families have been filling up troughs for the animals to drink from, and many handpumps have a runoff channel that means not a drop of water is wasted (see the picture below!). Our Donkeys are helping families to carry home the heavy jerrycans full of water - not far at all now!

Our Goat Loan continues to bring success across 110 communities, even in those adopted more recently. Hillat Sabil village, which was adopted in 2022 prior to the escalation of violence, is already undertaking its second goat rotation. The continued pass-on of goats within participating communities demonstrates both community ownership and sustainability amidst so much uncertainty. Thank you so much for continuing to support our Goat Loans, which provide more and more families with protein-rich milk every two years.

Unfortunately the conflict in Sudan is now in its fourth year, and the country now faces the worst hunger crisis in the world as a result. Kids for Kids continues to respond to the urgent need by providing food, seeds, medicine and more along with maintaining our successful sustainable projects thanks to our dedicated volunteers in Darfur. Your support means so much to us, and please know it continues to change lives every single day.