Our Mission (How It Works)
Our mission is to empower vulnerable women to change their lives and their futures. We begin by helping them start their own small animal farms and by providing them with all of the support and training they need to succeed. The formula is comprised of a simple sequence of steps (levels) that helps the women to grow their capabilities and become effective small animal farm owners. It works if we work it!
LEVEL ONE : A woman joins Sandy's Helpers and receives training from our experienced veterinary team. The woman is gifted with goats, pigs, chickens, bees or other animals depending on the natural habitat and farm assessment. Humane care practices are instilled as part of our training. Ethical animal care is emphasized. The new Sandy's Helpers is introduced to other women in her vicinity. Typically, we attempt to begin a new Sandy's Helpers community with four or five women who are able to help each other succeed. The average cost per Sandy's Helpers farm is around $330 annually.
LEVEL TWO : As the little farm grows, the women are visited by our team and are encouraged to share their work with other widows, single mothers, or women in need in their area. This is an important step in developing the Sandy's Helpers program as the women begin to form a collective or cooperative approach to their farming experience.
LEVEL THREE : Once the farms are considered successful, and the women are engaged in
helping other women in their areas, they are "active members" of Sandy's Helpers. Level Three members tithe back (give 10%) into the cooperative and help expand their group. The Sandy's Helpers regional office helps them acquire grinding machines for grains with matching funds through the Leah Foundation which serves as the main office in Jos, or through similar programs in neighboring countries.
LEVEL FOUR : At Level Four, women are chosen to become regional coordinators and assume the responsibility of overseeing cooperative oversight, and helping to create new collectives of Sandy's Helpers in neighboring communities. Business and farm management assistance is provided throughout this process. At this stage the farms are becoming not only sustainable but are involved in the creation of and support for new farms in new location.
"It is truly amazing to witness how the introduction of animals into the lives of vulnerable widows, single mothers, and other poor and at-risk women is helping to lift them out of endless cycles of poverty and neglect and leading them to a happy, productive, and economically independent life. Often for the first time in their lives they are able to help themselves, their families, and even help other women in their communities."
- Peter Fretheim, City Ministries Nigeria
Photo above: A group of displaced women who are part of future Sandy's Helpers in Kaduna State.