'A Gift of Goats and Cows' by Lisa BordenLisa Borden - 20 Nov 2007

Every year at the global gathering of the 24-7 family, there is a raucous auction, done with great celebration and hilarity, that raises funds for someone who is close to the movement and in financial need. This year it was decided that half of whatever was raised would be sent to Africa via Byron and Lisa Borden so that they could assist an old Maasai woman who is like family to their Wild Hope mission organisation...

Ngoto Milai sold most of her cows to educate her children. Sadly, the local school was so below average that her children didn't score well enough to go on and complete their high school education.  Without an education they haven't been able to find paying jobs. Sadly, Ngoto's only source of income, her last couple of cows, died in the drought a few years back so she could see no way of helping her Children. When Byron was in her area some months ago, his Maasai Mom asked him if there was any way we could help Ngoto begin some sort of small business so she could provide for her children and grandchildren.  When we were considering who to bless at the 24-7 Feast the thought of sending back money to help one woman employ her Children touched the hearts and minds of those present.

Everyone was shocked and delighted when the auction raised $2,000! You would have been shocked too, given that the items sold were things like a spiral notebook decorated with photographs and jar of home made jam! With the $1,000 that we have for this dear Maasai mother, we will be able to help in two significant ways. First off, a gift of goats or a couple of cows will be a huge blessing. Secondly, and perhaps more importantly, we have enough in hand to set up a small business co-operative with this lady and a few of her friends who are in similar circumstances. We are absolutely thrilled we can bring two forms of assistance with this one wonderful gift

Wild Hope

Wild Hope International is responding to issues of poverty, HIV/AIDS, poor education, lack of resources and spiritual hunger. We like micro-enterprise and dignity-producing methodology. We love seeing people become all God intended them to be. We're also interested in caring for and enjoying God's good Creation. Wild Hope is a faith-based, registered non-profit organization formed by a group of friends with long-term experience in Africa. You can find out more about the work at the Wild Hope Blog.