How five goats changed Manal's life

Inside a fragile mud house in the small village of Abu Saleem in River Nile State lives Manal – a 45-year-old widow and a mother of four – whose story speaks to the remarkable resilience and strength of rural Sudanese women.

After the devastating floods swept away her family home last year, Manal found shelter in an old abandoned house inherited from her father – barely standing, but still a roof over their heads. As the sole provider for the family, with no land of her own and no source of income, Manal began working as a daily labourer in nearby fields, earning hardly enough to meet even their basic needs.

But Sudan’s deepening crisis, soaring food prices, and economic collapse made survival even harder. “The prices went so high,” Manal shares with a heavy voice. “Even the extended family who used to support me, now need support themselves,” she adds.

Her story mirrors that of millions across the Sudan. More than half of the population, 24.6 million people, are now facing high levels of food insecurity, and famine has already taken hold in at least five areas and threatens more.

But even in the darkest times, hope can find a way in.

FAO project team and national partners oversee livestock interventions in River Nile State. ©FAO/Mahmoud Shamrouk

In September 2024, FAO, with the generous support of the Government of Switzerland’s Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC), launched a powerful initiative to fight hunger, improve food security and nutrition, and rebuild livelihoods in River Nile State. With local partners, they distributed 1 500 goats to support 300 vulnerable households. Manal’s family was one of them.

She received five goats, along with animal feed, mineral licks and veterinary training to care for her new livestock. For the first time in years, Manal had something to call her own, and beyond that, a source of nourishment, income and dignity. Her children, who once went to bed hungry, now drink fresh milk every day. They can even enjoy it with bread for breakfast and dinner – a new experience.

Manal also learned to make yoghurt from the extra milk, selling it to neighbours for profit, and when her goats gave birth, she sold the offspring, bringing in much-needed income.

"Alhamdulillah, my children’s health has improved," she says, her eyes lighting up with gratitude. "And for the first time, we even have a goat to sacrifice for Eid."

Manal’s herd. ©FAO/Mahmoud Shamrouk

Challenges remain, but so does hope

Life is never without challenges. The high prices of animal feed in the market force Manal to collect grass to feed her goats. Yet, despite this, she remains hopeful. She knows that the goats will multiply in time, and with them, her opportunities.

"We have milk now," she explains, the statement carrying the weight of countless prayers answered. "Whenever we are hungry, we can eat it with bread, kisra, or anything. And if anything happens, I have offspring I can sell," she adds.

A wish for others

“I hope more women in my village and across Sudan can receive this kind of support,” she says, knowing firsthand how such assistance can transform lives caught in crisis.

Manal’s story is more than just one woman’s journey – it attests to the power of meaningful, timely support. A few goats. Quality training. The right resources. And a woman’s unstoppable will.

Because sometimes, all it takes is five goats to turn despair into a future.