During an Animal Tracks goat distribution in Uganda’s Kyaka II refugee camp, our team sat down with Nyabeza Nyantebuka, a mother and farmer from the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Before arriving in Uganda, Nyabeza lived with her children in eastern DRC, where she made a living raising a large herd of goats and cows. Then, in 2020, her village became trapped in violent conflict. Mai-Mai militia groups burned down her home and stole her animals, forcing Nyabeza and her children to flee.
“I lived in the South Kivu province. I used to have 80 goats. They took them all. We fled with nothing and ran barefoot.”
For over a century, the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) has been a center of conflict, driven by its immense wealth of resources like cobalt and gold and a complex political history. Although the Second Congo War officially ended in 2003, violence between rebel groups remains widespread, especially in eastern DRC.
Nyabeza welcoming the LHI team to her current home in the Kyaka II refugee camp.
In recent years, conflict between armed rebel groups has sharply intensified, resulting in one of the world’s most severe humanitarian crises. Villages like Nyabeza’s have faced indiscriminate cruelty, forced labor, extortion, and gender-based violence. Over 9.6 million people have been displaced, and over 25.4 million people need humanitarian assistance just to survive.
After a long, terrifying journey, Nyabeza and her children finally joined the 500,000+ other Congolese refugees who have found safety in neighboring Uganda. However, despite Uganda’s progressive policies toward refugee inclusion, life in the refugee settlements is far from easy.
“I only had the clothes I was wearing. My children didn’t have shoes. The UNHCR gave us small things. But we had no other support here. We had no jobs. We had nowhere to farm.”
Without resources or opportunities, the future was uncertain for Nyabeza’s family. But through Animal Tracks, she became the proud owner of two new goats.
“We are farmers, but unfortunately they took that from us. So you did well for us when you gave us these goats. This is a job that we’ve been hoping to have. Now, we can pay for my kids’ school fees. We’re going to buy clothes.”
Since receiving her first two goats, Nyabeza has already grown her flock to 5! She plans to raise the goats well, breeding them, and selling the male offspring for a steady income.
“Thank you so much for giving us these goats. Now, with these goats, none of my children will go barefoot.”
Up close and personal with one of the goats in Nyabeza’s growing herd.
This first step on Nyabeza’s path towards a better, safer future was made possible by generous supporters of Animal Tracks! Over the past eight years, Animal Tracks has transformed the lives of thousands of refugees. Donate a goat, chicken, or pig today to empower another family on our waiting list on the path to rebuilding their lives.