HOW TO RECYCLE A GOAT
I have a soft spot for goats. However unpromising their surroundings, they manage to look neat, well-fed and healthy; their coats shine, they rarely put a hoof wrong and they always seem to be calmly in charge of the situation. Have you ever seen a goat run away? Goats I have met have been well-behaved and/or tied up. although I have to say that I have never tried to milk one - a task which I believe can lead to a conflict of interests.
Gerthrude would sing the praises of goats, too, although she is totally concerned with the practical benefits which a goat may bring. Until Christian Aid brought goats into their lives, Gerthrude and her neighbours were trapped in poverty. Living in Burundi the women had seen their country torn apart by years of civil war. They were desperately poor and struggled to survive, after turning to Christian Aid's partner in Burundi (the National Council of Churches - CNEB) their lives and those of their families began to improve.
Help came in a surprising form. The women were given a loan - not of money but of ten goats. The reason why soon became apparent. The goats produced milk and Gerthrude's children had nourishing milk to drink. Their health improved significantly. The goats also produced manure, which the women used to fertilise their small plots of land. Their crops grew much better and they grew more of them. Not only did the families have more to eat, there was also enough left over to sell. This meant more money to pay for clothes, medicines and for their children to go to school.
The goats also produced more goats. The first ten kids were given straight back to Christian Aid's partner in order to repay the original loan. The women could then keep the goats they had originally been given and continue to reap the benefits. (All right, you and I know that a billy goat has to come into the equation, but only one of him is needed for any number of nanny goats.)
Most important of all, they didn't need help any more. And Christian Aid's partner was then free to loan the women's goats to another village association to help yet more people. One gift of ten goats was 'recycled' and went on and on helping people in desperate need.
One goat costs £12.00 - the price of 5 pints of beer or three cheap smoked bacon joints. How many goats can we provide this Harvest? We should be able to make a big difference to a lot of Gerthrudes. We are working together with St. Andrew's and St. Mark's School who are involved in a similar project.
Christian Aid is also committed to working for fairer trade between countries. I hope that many of us already buy items such as Fair Trade tea, coffee and bananas, but I would also like us to support Christian Aid as it works for a just and fairer trade system in the world. Please look out for opportunities to bring pressure to bear on our MPs by writing letters, signing and sending postcards (provided by Christian Aid) and maybe lobbying our own MPs, or at least finding out what stance (s)he takes on this vitally important issue. There will be a series of happenings in Brighton on September 26th, to coincide with the Labour Party conference, and other events are planned.
Christian Aid initiatives are based firmly on Biblical teaching,. "What does the Lord require of you? To act justly. ..."
Thank you.

Valerie Baxter

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