Kids Raise Money With Goat of Many Colours

Cranbrook, BC – There's something wonderful happening in a Sunday School class in Cranbrook. A group of children have inspired the congregation at Christ Church Anglican to buy goats. Lots of them. But the goats won't be roaming the hills of Cranbrook, instead they'll be given to families around the world as a way to help improve their standard of living.

The children at Christ Church Anglican have chosen to buy goats through the Mennonite Central Committee (MCC) Christmas Giving Catalogue, which is filled with projects that helps people in need all around the world as a way to celebrate God's love. This particular Sunday School class set a goal of buying 16 goats, a goal they have met and are now hoping to double.

In order to track their fundraising, the kids coloured a life-sized picture of a goat, which they call their “goat of many colours.”

“We've been learning a lot about goats, and the kids love it,” says Sunday School teacher, Lori Woensdregt, adding that the whole church has been drawn into the project. “We asked for pennies for our goat jar, but many (people in the congregation) are buying whole goats.”

One girl in the class raised $72 by making and selling key chains and bracelets. An adult helped out by allowing the kids to cut his hair for him and paying for it.

“He looks a little funny, but it's all for a good cause,” Woensdregt says.

Other churches in the community have also caught this vision and are contributing to the project.

Phil Schafran, Director of Development for MCC BC, says goats have been a popular choice.

“Goats are easily maintained, they produce milk which is a great source of protein for families, and they can be bred so that a family can supplement their income,” he says.

Just $30 is the cost to buy, house and vaccinate one goat, which means that the children at Christ Church Anglican have raised over $480 – and counting. Woensdregt hopes that by sharing their story, others will be inspired to come up with creative ways to support people in need around the world.

“I have been really quite amazed at the response and creative ways people are raising money for this," she says.

To learn how you can support this and other project through MCC, visit mcc.org/Christmas or call MCC toll free at 1 888 622 6337.