Imagine living on an isolated mountainside and having a five-hour trek to the nearest shop. Consider going that far to the nearest hospital. What if you had to carry your child with disabilities on that journey?
This was Mark’s reality.
But it wasn’t always this way. Mark had once been married, and had three daughters and a son. Giving them a house was his dream, and he was just about to start building one after securing a loan.
He got into an accident and everything changed. Nothing could have prepared Mark for the cascade of challenges that followed.
He broke his arm and was unable to work or financially support his family. Things then got worse after his son was identified as deaf and told he had learning difficulties. Overwhelmed by their challenges, Mark’s wife decided to leave him and their four children.
Overnight, Mark became a single father, ostracised by his village, labeled as cursed, and left with no support.
Despite facing stigma and isolation, Mark refused to give up on himself and his dreams.
Our Pig Power Project was working in his community, and became a lifeline for him.
The Pig Power Project supports families of children with disabilities, in the remote northwest of Rwanda.
We give families like Mark’s a pregnant pig, so they can raise and sell their piglets. This provides families both a food source and a steady source of income.
The project also runs a parent support group; a safe space where parents can share their experiences, learn from each other, and access the resources they need to advocate for their children with disabilities.
The Pig Power Project is crucial for families like Mark’s, as it allows them to support themselves. It’s a holistic approach that not only uplifts families but also promotes community well-being, for a brighter, more secure future.
When you support this project, we are able to help more families in rural Rwanda, like Mark’s, to rise above poverty and adversity.
Today, Mark is completely self-sufficient.
In just a few months, he raised and sold his pigs for a good price, allowing him to do more than he could’ve imagined.
With this new source of income, Mark has completed the construction of his house, grown vegetables to feed his family, and can afford medical help for his son.
With guidance from the village chief, Mark set ambitious goals for the future: to finish paying his debt and support his children.
Grateful for the transformative impact of one pig, Mark now sees a hopeful future. “The parent support group is a brilliant resource, and I am so grateful for this lifeline.”
Despite facing incredible challenges, Mark’s story is a testament to his resilience in the face of unimaginable hardship.
There are countless more families who, without the Pig Power Project, have little means of feeding themselves supporting themselves or their children with disabilities.
It takes just one pig to turn things around.
Your support, along with the hard work of the Pig Power Project team, can change lives.
Every donation you make during our Big Give Christmas Appeal, will be matched by our generous pledger and The Reed Foundation, doubling your impact. From 28th November – 5th December only*
Right now, we know of 200 families in rural Rwanda, struggling and living on less than £1.50 a day. Raising a pig could really turn things around for them.
Will you consider donating to our Big Give Christmas Appeal today?
