by Carlissa Larsen, LHI Utah Program Consultant
Carlissa visited a family that had received 2 milk goats a few years ago. Those 2 goats have produced this herd! The large black and white goat on Carlissa’s left is a stud goat that plays a big role in making more goats!
Guest contributor: Carlissa Larsen has been with LHI for 7 years. She started as a volunteer and founded the Utah programs. She worked as co-director for Utah operations, and is now a consultant for our Utah programs. She recently traveled to Jordan and Greece to see the impact of LHI’s work on the ground for the first time!
Living Conditions for Syrian Refugees in Jordan
80% of Syrian refugees in Jordan live in unofficial refugee camps, often called makeshift or improvised refugee camps like the one pictured below.
A family was gracious enough to allow taking a photo of their kitchen (below), so that we could share with the world what conditions they live in. Behind the tarp in the back by the white bucket is where the family shower.
The makeshift structure with a dirt floor pictured below is the family's bathroom. For years, I've helped our volunteers who donate hygiene supplies for refugees to our Humanitarian Aid Warehouse. I was humbled to see where those supplies would actually be used for the families receiving them.
Lives in Syria Before
We visited a Syrian refugee family who had fled Aleppo at the beginning of the war in 2011. They lost their herd of goats and their livelihood, but escaped with their lives. They consider themselves lucky because most of their family and friends didn't make it out before they were killed. We sat in their humble home in Jordan hearing their story. Their young daughter, who was born in a refugee camp, wanted to give us something before we left, so she ran to the garden and picked fresh flowers for us.
Goats Change Lives
While in Jordan, I met multiple families that had gone from living in a tent in a refugee camp to living in a house within 2 years of LHI providing them with 2 goats. Prior to receiving goats from us these families had lived in a refugee camp for 10-12 years. Most of their children had been born in the refugee camps. Now, they have goats that provide nutrition, a way to make an income, a sense of dignity, and a new home!
This family received 2 goats from LHI 2 years ago. They've now grown their herd to 25 and have been able to rent a house with running water and electricity.
Thank you Carlissa for sharing your visit to Jordan with us! It is amazing to see how much just two milk goats can transform the lives of Syrian families living in Jordan.
Please help LHI continue to change lives. You can make a donation to our Gather for Goats program here, or, if you want to get your children or school or youth group involved, check out our Kids Club program!