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Stories of Life Change

Why animals? Talk to Come

April 9, 2019

Owning Livestock is an important step. Animals support rural farmers with nutrients and stability.

In Burundi, many live in rural communities and farm for their livelihood. Most grow crops, but few have animals. When families begin owning livestock, their lives change.

Owning livestock acts as a safeguard for farming families. Farmers often lack nutrients from meat in their diets. However, farmers that own livestock have access to protein.

In addition, animals provide an opportunity for profit, which in turn equips farmers with economic stability. For example, when an animal reaches maturity, a farmer can choose to sell the livestock for profit.

In the right hands a cow can be a powerful investment.

In the right hands a cow can be a powerful investment.

Access to savings is essential

Often, rural farmers lack economic opportunities to save their money and plan long-term. Without access to these necessities, farming families rely on the land and do not have the luxury of owning livestock.  

Savings groups allows farmers to discover a path to a better life for their families.

Savings groups provide families with a way to take out loans. Loans help families cover school fees, improve housing, start small businesses, pay for medical expenses, or invest in livestock.

Access to loans stabilizes and empowers farming families, knitting communities together.

Learning to save

A savings group member in Burundi shows off her cash and savings book

Loans lead to livestock

Access to loans positions farmers to plan for their future.  Come took out a loan through a savings group. In addition to this loan, he sold bananas. Pooling together the francs from his loan and the profits from his banana sales, Come invested in livestock.

“With the profits, I was able to buy a sheep, two piglets, and four chickens.”

However, Come wasn’t finished acquiring livestock. The next year, he was able to take out another loan. “With this amount, I was able to buy a cow.” The following year, he sold four piglets and used a loan to purchase a second cow

Investing in livestock provides security for the future. As time continued, Come’s animals began to multiply on their own. “In terms of farm animals I have the following: 2 cows, the sheep 3 sheep, 10 pigs, 14 rabbits, and 14 chickens," he says proudly.

With access to loans, Come was equipped to thrive. He explains, “I am in the process of promoting long-term viable agricultural practices by applying knowledge acquired during training. I sincerely thank Plant With Purpose for their help of the poor."

Goats are some of the most common -and effective- investments in rural villages.

Goats are some of the most common -and effective- investments in rural villages.

Livestock and loans are long term solutions

With access to loans, Come was equipped to thrive.

Come explains, “I am in the process of promoting long-term viable agricultural practices by applying knowledge acquired during training. I sincerely thank Plant With Purpose for their help of the poor."

You can help partners invest in livestock. How? Learn more about becoming a Purpose Partner

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