One goat, a transformed future

In Fabidji, every season feels like a battle against time and nature. Repeated droughts deplete the soil, destroy crops, and push already vulnerable families into an endless cycle of loss. To survive, many are forced to sell their most precious possessions: small ruminants, utensils, furniture... symbols of dignity that disappear, leaving households with no means of saving and no possibility of investing in income-generating activities.

Faced with this growing precariousness, the Nigerien government launched the 3N initiative (Nigeriens Feed Nigeriens), aimed at strengthening food security and livelihoods. It is in this spirit that World Vision intervened in Fabidji to support the most affected families, particularly those of sponsored children who lost everything in a fire.

Twenty-one goats were distributed to enable households to gradually rebuild their livelihoods.

It is in this context that the story of Issoufou emerges, an 11-year-old boy whose life took a new turn thanks to a simple but profoundly transformative gesture.

Issoufou lives in Fabidji with his eight brothers and sisters. His father, Moussa, is a farmer. But farming, once a source of hope, has become a risky venture: “My dad farms when it rains, but now the rain doesn't come like it used to. Sometimes it comes late, sometimes it's very light, and that means our harvests aren't enough.”

After the harvest, the family eats well for a few months... then food starts to run out. Despite his father's efforts to supplement his income with odd jobs, the difficulties persist.

One day, the World Vision team visited the sponsored children to support their families. Issoufou still remembers that moment: “They gave each child a goat. It was the first goat I had ever had in my life. I was really happy!”

This seemingly modest goat quickly became a real economic lever for the whole family.

Thanks to his care, the goat reproduced: “I looked after her well and, after a while, she had babies. One day, I had seven!”

With this small herd, Issoufou made a responsible decision: to sell a few goats to meet the family's basic needs. “I was able to buy a sheep, clothes, school supplies, and even corn so we could eat at home.”

Today, he owns two sheep, a precious asset that his father deeply respects: “My dad is very proud of me. Sometimes he even asks me how to take care of the animals. It makes me very happy and I feel important.” "

Thanks to this support, the family can breathe easy. In times of need, they can sell an animal to buy food. Issoufou now has big dreams: "My dream is to have lots of sheep and cows, to continue my studies, and to become a doctor. "

He concludes gratefully: “I thank World Vision with all my heart. It all started with a single goat... and it changed my family's life.”