Three thousand goats were distributed to 300 families in two villages of Kenya’s Rift Valley, thanks to the dream of some Vancouver hockey fans.
Joel Nagtegaal, a member of Bridge Community Christian Reformed Church in Langley, British Columbia, joined forces with some friends to pledge money for each playoff win of their favorite hockey team, the Vancouver Canucks. Even though their team didn’t advance far in the playoffs, the goat campaign (www.goatcanucksgoat.com) garnered worldwide attention and raised enough money to buy those 3,000 goats (see Banner, August 2009, p. 11).
The Christian Reformed World Relief Committee partnered with the Reformed Church of East Africa (RCEA) to distribute the goats to people who were displaced by post-election violence in Kenya.
Goats do well in the hot climate, multiply quickly, and are a valuable source of nutrition. Each family received nine females and one male after going through goat-care training.
“Children are the main beneficiaries because goats are a source of hope,” said Rev. Fred Witteveen, a CRWRC Kenya consultant. “Where there is hope, children have a future.”
About the Author
Jenny deGroot is a freelance media review and news writer for The Banner. She lives on Swallowfield Farm near Fort Langley B.C. with her husband, Dennis. Before retirement she worked as a teacher librarian and assistant principal.
