AMINA HUSSEIN

My name is Amina Hussein, and I am from Moyale, Marsabit County. I am a 53-year-old widow and mother of ten children. Unknown cattle rustlers killed my husband four months ago. He was found dead with a poisoned arrow in his right leg. It was clear he was trying to protect his livestock on that fateful night. They found his body, which had been dumped in one of the wells near our village, after searching for him for two days. I felt incredibly sad and lonely when I received the news about his death. All my world crumbled and all a sudden stress and anxiety kicked in as I thought of life without my dear husband. After his burial, I wondered about and thought of how I was going to take care of my ten children alone. Their father was the only breadwinner in our family and he provided everything for his children when he was alive. My children had to drop out of school immediately because I needed help with providing for the family and they had to take care of the young ones, Ali and Ayan.

Life became tough and my children started losing weight; they had swollen stomachs; sunken eyes and their hair was falling out due to poor nutrition. My children looked weary and sad all the time and, as a mother, this broke my heart. I tried to look for help from my neighbors but most of the time they turned me away. Having nothing to eat, I got so stressed I started gathering leftover food from the garbage dumpsite so that my children could have something to eat. But the poor hygiene of those conditions made them suffer from stomach upsets very often.

Today I write with gratitude to the Goat Project for having chosen me as one of the beneficiaries of the Widows’ Goat Project. I received two pregnant goats and my pain and sadness has turned into pure joy. My children are so happy. They are always clinging to the goats. My children are slowly forgetting all their problems and the sorrow of losing their father as they are now eating well and have the goats to play with. They rise early to fetch water and pasture for the goats. When the goats give birth, we will have milk for consumption at home and surplus to sell to our neighbors, which will enable us to buy more food and other items. I have experienced so much peace through your love for humanity, especially the love shown to other widows like me, who have no one to turn to for help.