Thank Your Mother for the Goat

What would you like for Christmas? A car, DVD or holiday to Bail? How about a goat? Well, that is not what would be expected by most people as a gift but it is what my mum gave to someone last Christmas, and the Christmas before that. Why?

In the past developing countries have helped through aid. It was thought that giving money would solve the problem. That has now changed. It is now believed that developed countries should help giving the tools and knowledge required for the developing country to take care of themselves. This is where the goats come in.

Throughout the year charities would send letters to my mum with the progress of their work and mum would send them money. Then two years ago it became different. A charity sent a letter for donations at Christmas time. They did not ask for money, instead they asked for mum to by something for a person in need. They had a list of items for sale. My mum chose the Goat.

A goat would sound like a weired Christmas present but it is a long term solution. By providing a goat to a person in need, they will be able run a business selling goat's milk or even breed goats to sell meat. The goat's owner would then no longer require charity and will be running a honest business.

After choosing a goat we got a Christmas card that said we bought a goat. It stands proudly on the fireplace with the other cards. We now buy a goat every year. It has become a Christmas tradition.