News

Gifts from Heaven

BÓTHAR and its field partner, Heifer International, have been working in the Central American country of Honduras for a number of years. The Arturo Villeda family is just one of the many families that have participated in our projects there.

CARLOS Arturo Villeda’s father Luis joined his local Bóthar project in the hope of one day owning a dairy cow. He knew that if the family had a dairy animal their lives would change. Not only would they have nutritious milk, but the by-products such as butter and cheese could be sold to make a small income.

A regular income would mean stability - something they never experienced. Soon after joining the Bóthar project, Luis started learning about animal husbandry. Sadly, he passed away shortly before finishing his training. Just before he died, Luis asked his son Carlos to continue the training so that he could realise his family’s dream of owning a cow. Carlos knew that they needed the animal more than ever. Carlos took the place of his father on the Bóthar programme in January 2007.

The project leaders encouraged Carlos to do his very best so that he would be ready to receive his Bóthar animal. With his determination and the encouragement of the team, Carlos received a cow in March 2007. He called his cow ‘Preciosa’. He told our project team in Honduras ‘I feel very motivated and well-trained to take care of Preciosa.

I am very thankful for this opportunity to own a cow, which for me has fallen from Heaven. What I feel is that this has changed my life, and what I consider it to be of great value, is the work relationship within the group. There I have learned that even if I don’t have a lot of money, I do have a lot to contribute to the people near me. Therefore, I am very thankful to my father and the project. Thank you very much! God bless your work and your families.’

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