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,” one mother shared afterward. “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.”

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.

But the vision extends far beyond these first 20 families.

Kigenyi Abed is a thirteen year old who lives with his elderly grandmother. Unemployed, she was having a hard time paying for his school fees and supplies.

Luckily, Abed was registered for the give a goat project.

He received one goat which has now given birth to three kids.

When Abed is at school, his grandmother helps him by feeding the goats. On the weekends, he cares for the goats, and even reads to them. Abed sold two goats in 2024 to help pay for his school fees at Hadassah Primary School.

He is hopeful that the remaining goats will help him to pay for secondary school next year.

​Nuala’s family cared for this goat, it gave birth, and eventually they had six goats. For the last two years, they have sold a goat at the beginning of every school term to cover the costs of Nuala’s school supplies and fees.
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Last May, Nuala sold four goats, which covered both her school fees and enough building materials to construct a small, one-room house. She still has two mature goats, who will produce more goats, providing Nuala and her family with a greatly-needed and reliable source of income and stability.

After spending a few days in Uganda, and even though it is my fourth time here, all I can think about is my feelings of gratitude and happiness, immediately followed by profound sadness and hopelessness.

Most of all, it takes so much energy to control my emotions, knowing that we are making such an impact on so many peoples' lives. You see it in their smiles, you feel it in their hugs. You feel it in their giant welcome as the earth literally shakes when our van arrives in their poor communities. But most of all I see it in their gratitude these Jews, Christians and Muslims express to our tiny organization, Global Village Connect, consisting literally of a handful of dedicated Minnesotans (mainly) who have taken it upon their shoulders to save the lives of these wonderful people.

Yesterday Debbie and I sat with our “Ugandan Kids.” These are nine kids ranging from 9-18 years old who we support in school and in life. Their life experiences included being raped and impregnated at 12 by her uncle. Another whose father beat him to the point where he lost an eye and later stole the goat given to him to help lift him out of poverty. Then there are the two little kids, now 9 & 10 whose father, with four wives and 19 kids left them on their own to support themselves. They lived in a rented room for $10 a month. When we found them doing odd labor and sick with diseases, including typhoid. Another was an orphan and was married off at 12 because nobody could care for her!

We have plucked them out of their terrible situations and now all nine of these kids are boarding at their schools. They consider themselves the lucky ones. They are now safe, have friends, go to school and are fed. 

I told them my wish for them was when they got older that they would have the opportunity to help others just like they were helped.

Debbie and I feel such sadness for what these kids have gone through and at the same time know they are safe. Debbie worries that she will never see them again. Deep down, I know she will. We gave them all hugs and told them they never have to worry again as we will keep them safe. 

How lucky are Debbie and I that we can have the opportunity to help others?

Mark & Debbie Glotter
November 14, 2024
Mbale, Uganda

Through Global Village Connect I received a school scholarship and a goat, and I am now able to attend school and help provide for myself and my brother. The goat helps me pay for food, the scholarship covers my supplies, and the farm Global Village Connect started at Buyanga Primary School allows me to have lunch every day.

I’m very happy to be at school, and I’ve noticed a big change in my life since receiving support from Global Village Connect. I sleep better and eat better, and I have more energy to concentrate on my schoolwork. I am really happy with my life at school, and very grateful for the opportunities I’ve been given. My favorite subjects are English and Science, and I’m excelling in both.

I want to become a doctor one day. I hope to use my skills to help the children in my community and make a difference in their lives.

 Join Global Village Connect and make a difference life of a child like Bridget. Give today.

Moshe has been farming from sun up to sunset for as long as he can remember. He does it in order to feed his 4 children, Shivum, 14, Haimu, 12, Tamali, 4 and Musibika, 4 months old.

Moshe struggles to raise all the funds needed for schools fees. Last season, farming was not good. There were barely enough crops to eat and no extra to sell. Moshe was recently able to sell 2 of his 4 goats which provided him the means to send Shivum and Haimu back to school.

He hopes his goats have more babies, critical for educating his children.

Miriam lost her parents and lives with her grandmother and her cousin. Her family’s only source of income was from the few crops they grow. But now, thanks to the generosity of GVC donors, Miriam has a goat, and she can use the money she makes from selling the goat’s offspring and milk to go to school and buy books. Sometimes it’s not easy selling the baby goats because kids get attached, but if it’s for school, then it’s worth it!

​​The good news – JJ’s goat is pregnant. His goat is having more than 1 and JJ is hoping it gives birth to three kids: one to keep, one to sell and one to give away to someone else in need.

JJ’s family will use the money from selling the goat milk and offspring to pay for school, books, food and clothes. Plus, JJ and his siblings will have goat milk that’s highly nutritious and contains essential vitamins and minerals.