Food Security Zimbabwe Project #16777

Goats for children affected by HIV/AIDS

by American Foundation for Children with AIDS

Project Report | May 5, 2026
Goat Program Opens Doors

By Gary | Partner in Africa

The American Foundation for Children with AIDS, through it's many years of working in Africa with families made vulnerable by AIDS, has developed and implemented various initiatives to assist such families to become nutritionally self-sufficient and self-reliant.

In Zimbabwe there are currently between 600,000 and 900,000 children that have been directly orphaned by AIDS out of a total 1.6 million vulnerable children. In the rural areas most of these young ones are being cared for by their extended families and grandparents which as you can imagine puts an enormous strain on household finances and food stocks. AFCA, through it's goat and tree programs, provides some respite for selected families in that it teaches folk how to raise small livestock and fruit trees (both indigenous and exotic) for their own consumption as well as using them as a source of revenue.

Taking this a step further, AFCA has recently partnered with Bandage the Wounded Orphanage and an Aids support group named the Alpha Teens which are both located in rural villages in the Matabeleland South Province of Zimbabwe. The objective of this partnership is to ensure that both of these organizations work toward becoming initially self-reliant in terms of food and then develop the capacity to sell their excess products to generate revenue to assist on housing, clothing and educating the children.

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. 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.

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Dec 22, 2025
Improved Food Security for Children

By Frankline | Partner in Africa

Aug 13, 2025
Goats are Lovingly Prepared for Their New Families

By Tanya Weaver | Executive Director

Giving goats to families is life changing for the families. We have seen it over and over again – how a family starts with training and counsel. They move on to getting ready to receive the animals from AFCA and finally, they receive three pregnant goats. In order to prepare for the arrival of their animals, a family must build appropriate and safe housing for the goats. They must make sure they have food available and ample water. They must teach children to treat the goats well and to feed them on time. They must learn about vaccinating, and they must know how to detect illnesses so they can quickly treat them. It takes a lot for a family to prepare!

But, what about the goats? How are they prepared? Well, they are loved. They are fed well and they receive great veterinarian care. Most of all, they are around humans and they are hugged and petted. They are called by their names and they are made to feel safe around humans. This way, when they go to their new home, they are comfortable around people and are not skittish nor afraid. They allow their new owners to check them for ticks, to give them medicine when needed, and to make sure they are safe. This doesn’t seem like a big deal, but it really is and we encourage human presence in the lives of the goats as much as possible in preparation for their move to their new family.

This summer in Zimbabwe, our friend Liz as part of a Vacation with a Purpose team, got to hold and pet goats. In fact, she rocked one to sleep! The little guy just snuggled his face into her neck and slept as she held him. Such a wonderful moment for Liz AND for the little goat (Nica)! One day, when Nica is old enough to go to her new family, we hope that she’ll remember being held tenderly and being raised with care and love. We hope she’ll be a blessing to her family, providing them with babies and milk for many years, as well as laughs at her antics and to her curiosity. At AFCA, we love our goats! Thank you for being part of this important work.

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. 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.

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