Hellen deeply desires to be a good mom to her three kids: a 17-year-old son, a 13-year-old daughter, and an 8-year-old daughter. She loves them immeasurably, and wants to do everything she can to take care of them, making sure they have all they need to live comfortably and happily.
One way this desire flowed out of Hellen for years was her continual commitment and effort to get milk for her kids to drink. In Oletukat, the village in Kenya where they live, getting milk was not an easy or convenient task. Hellen would frequently have to travel or send someone else to the nearest town 20 minutes away to get milk. This had to happen because in a house full of growing teenagers, food seemed to disappear almost as soon as it came into the house, and Hellen was determined to keep milk constantly supplied for her children.
Hellen and her family received a goat from The Hope Venture in January of 2022. This meant that the frequent trips into town for milk could stop! Her family could get milk directly from their own goat. This gave Hellen assurance and confidence that she was being a good mom by knowing exactly where the milk she was feeding her children was coming from. Oftentimes, the milk sold in town would have water or chemicals added to it, which decreased the nutritional benefit.
Additionally, because they didn’t have to go into town to go get milk, the family saved a lot of time. Now they can spend more time together, or spend more time focusing on their farm where they raise chickens, maize, and beans. This also provides a way for Hellen to be a good mom to her kids – teaching them to work hard. Her son, Henry, has even taken ownership of milking the goat every day.
The family’s goat milk is not only available for drinking, but also to make chai tea, cookies, and traditional veggies for the family. The nutritional benefits extend beyond just drinking the milk and also make the menu at home more exciting!
Hellen’s desire to be a good mom for her children is enough to show how much she loves them, and that makes her a good mom in itself. Receiving a goat from The Hope Venture aids her efforts and makes it easier on her, so she doesn’t have to constantly strive beyond her capacity to provide everything for them.
