Meet Mukono's Families: How Your Generosity Provided 20 Goats and a Pathway to Hope
Because of you, 20 children with disabilities and their families in Mukono received goats, veterinary training, and a path to a brighter future.
On March 22, a remarkable and deeply moving moment unfolded in Mukono as 20 children with disabilities and their families received goats from Global Village Connect’s Give a Goat program.
The atmosphere that morning was filled with anticipation, gratitude, and hope. Families arrived early, eager to receive the animals that could begin to shift their circumstances in meaningful ways.
As each goat was handed over, joy spread quickly. Children reached out to gently stroke the animals, laughing as they explored this new and unfamiliar companion. Nearby, parents stood quietly, many visibly emotional, as they considered what this opportunity could mean for their child’s future.
“For a long time, we have struggled to support our child’s needs. This goat is a blessing to our family. When it gives birth, we will be able to sell some of the kids to buy medicine and save toward purchasing a wheelchair.”
— A Mother in Mukono
Another parent, Mr. Matovu, spoke to the steady, practical hope the goats represent.
“Even when small problems come, like sickness or the need for clothes, we often have nothing to sell. Now we have something that can help us slowly build a better life for Rahuman.”
— Mr. Matovu
Veterinary Husbandry Training
Before the distribution, families participated in a hands on training led by a veterinary officer, an essential step in ensuring long term success.
Parents learned how to properly feed and house the goats, recognize early signs of illness, and provide basic care, including how to support pregnant goats and newborn kids. The session was interactive, with parents asking thoughtful, practical questions rooted in their day to day realities.
“The training has helped us understand how to take good care of the goats. I thought cassava was okay for goats, but I learned today that not all cassava is safe. This knowledge will help the goats multiply so our children can benefit for a long time.”
— Participating Mother Already, the impact is beginning to take shape. Many of the goats were pregnant at the time of distribution, and just last week, one family celebrated the birth of twins.
Building a Sustainable Safety Net
For these households, a goat represents a durable, living asset. In rural Uganda, families often lack any form of savings or insurance. When an emergency arises, they have no cash buffer to fall back on.
A growing herd of goats provides exactly that safety net. As the goats breed and multiply, families can choose to sell an animal when school fees are due, when a child needs medical care, or to fund new business ideas like graduate Sam Wabuyi did to start his orange distribution business.
Currently, there are still 18 more children with disabilities on the waitlist in Mukono. Through continued support from our donors, we hope to expand the program and provide goats to every family waiting.
For these households, the goats represent far more than livestock. They are a pathway to dignity, stability, and possibility. It is a small beginning, but one with the power to create lasting change.
And as the goats multiply, so too will the hope. For donors comparing ways to gift a goat to a family in Uganda or give a goat for Christmas, this story shows what that gift looks like on the ground.
