| Gift of piglets provides income for large family |
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DAWOOKHU, Myanmar — When the family of a 10-year-old boy received the gift of piglets from World Vision, they were overwhelmed with joy and hope because they couldn’t pay enough for their children’s education.
They now have a hope for their family because pigs can provide financial assistance for their family.
Zin Ko Htoo, 10, has two elder sisters, one younger brother and one younger sister. They live in Dawookhu quarter, Loikaw, Kayah States.
His family doesn’t even have their own farm. Even though his dad is a hard-working farmer, their lives are challenged because his dad’s daily income is not stable, and his mother is a housewife and had no means of income to feed and clothe them.
“When the school season starts, I could not buy a new school bag or other school support for my children,” recalled Zin Ko Htoo’s mom. “And I was pregnant at that time, and I have many children, they were crying for something to eat but nothing to eat at home,” explained Zin Ko Htoo’s mom.
In May 2007 ,World Vision identified the family of Zin Ko Htoo to join the gifts of piglets project along with other families.
“I help my mom to feed the pigs on the weekend,” said Zin Ko Htoo.
Life has been much better when they received one piglet from World Vision as part of a gift catalog. The villagers’ conditions in the target area changed greatly five months later.
When the pig delivered three piglets for the first time, his mom sold two piglets for school supplies for four of her children and shared one piglet to another family.
“Selling the piglets helped me to support my son’s education,” said Zin Ko Htoo’s mom. And when the pigs delivered for the second time, the money from selling those piglets helped her pay for the birth of her youngest son.
“And we have planted various kind of vegetables by using the pigs’ excrement as a fertilizer, and it gives us fresh vegetables. Selling the fresh vegetables also gives us more income. After saving a lot of money, we are planning to open a small shop,” said his mom.
“My mom bought a school bag, sandals, pants for me in the month of June - which is school season - and I am really satisfied,” explained Zin Ko Htoo.
Smiles do not simply mean financial assistance for his family, smiles mean much more for their lives.
The gift of piglets in Loikaw, beginning in 2007, continues to bring smiles to the family of Zin Ko Htoo and will carry the smiles to others, too. |
| 9/22/2010 |
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