Halima(not her real name) , a single mother of three in, remembers the day she lost her last goat to drought. Years of erratic rainfall and recurring dry spells had decimated her small herd. Without livestock, Halima had no milk for her children and no income to pay for school fees. She resorted to borrowing food from neighbors and occasionally skipping meals so her children could eat.
When IDNK launched its Women’s Empowerment program, Halima was selected for small-ruminant restocking. She received five goats—two of them already lactating. Almost immediately, her children began enjoying milk daily, and Halima started selling the surplus to buy essentials like sugar and school supplies. Within six months, the herd grew to nine goats, giving her both a sense of security and a steady source of income.
Halima also joined a local women’s economic inclusion group. The group provides financial literacy training, savings schemes, and leadership mentoring. For the first time, Halima started saving small amounts weekly. She now has a safety net for unexpected needs and hopes to expand her herd further.
“These goats gave me back my dignity as a mother. I can feed my children, keep them in school, and even save for tomorrow. I feel hopeful again,” she says proudly.
Halima’s journey reflects the reality of many women in pastoralist communities. With support, resilience is possible. Through livestock restocking and group-based savings, IDNK is not only reviving livelihoods but also strengthening women’s agency, household resilience, and community leadership.