Couple to raise 27 kids

The Richmond family have taken on the amazing task of rearing the goats as part of the Young Farmers Clubs of Ulster 80 goats for 80 years appeal!

When Bthar requested some help to rear the goats Bob and his daughter Emma very quickly responded and now have 27 on their farm on the Kilraughts Rd.

Mr Richmond explained: “The Bthar project is an extremely important one throughout the world. What I like most about the project is that it is giving practical sustainable solutions to hunger and poverty throughout the world.

“We’re very busy every day when we are hand feeding the kids but we know it will all be worth it when the families in Africa receive their goat all the way from Ballymoney.

80 families will benefit from the on going ‘80 goats for 80 years’ project with the Young Farmers Clubs of Ulster. The goats will be distributed through the charity Bthar.

Bthar specialises in improved livestock development and supports related training and community development in it’s project work. Bthar establishes families in micro-farming units by giving them the living gift of a farm animal. However, this gift is given as the last stage of a long and important process.

Families are trained in the areas of building animal shelters, growing fodder, animal health and welfare issues, environmental practices, record keeping and marketing of their produce. The families are also provided with full veterinary back-up including assistance with breeding.

Perhaps the most important part of Bthar’s programmatic work involves passing on the gift. Each family that takes part in a Bthar project must formally agree to pass-on to another selected family the first female offspring born to their animal.

In this way, Bthar offers families and communities a smart solution that works to end chronic hunger and to break the poverty cycle. Once a family has fulfilled the terms of their contract and passed on an animal the family may keep all subsequent stock, and so the gift grows. The families have control over their farms and futures and, over time, can lift themselves up to a position of relative comfort with dignity and pride.

Speaking at the Richmond’s farm in Ballymoney, Aoibheann Fearon Bthar’s Northern Ireland Representative said: “I am very grateful to the Richmond’s for taking on this enormous task.

“The 27 kids that the Richmond’s are rearing will be part of the 80 goats which will be sent by the YFCU to families in need in the developing world, Bthar are so thankful to all at the YFCU and especially the Richmond’s for their part in this successful project.”

One success story from the past is about a young girl called Beatrice Biira from Uganda; Beatrice received a goat from Bthar many years ago. This literally turned Beatrice’s life around, before she received the goat Beatrice could not go to school and her family were struggling to put food on the table both due to lack of income. After receiving the goat Beatrice sold her goat’s milk and cheese, and saved the money for school. When she was able to go to school she studied hard, and eventually won a scholarship to university in Connecticut USA. Beatrice has now completed her degree in Connecticut and also completed an internship in Hilary Clinton’s office. This all was made possible because of the gift of an Irish dairy goat! In time to come and with thanks to people like the Richmond’s and all at the Young Farmers Clubs of Ulster we will have another 80 success stories just like Beatrice’s.

Should anyone wish to donate towards the 80 goats for 80 years project please contact Aoibheann Fearon at the Bthar office in Dunmurry 028 90627308.