Beatrice is a young girl growing up in Uganda.  Her family is poor and in need of many things.  She is confused when she is told that her family will be one of the lucky ones recieving a goat.  Beatrice cannot think of any reason that a goat would make her lucky.

 

Her family's goat is soon named Mugisa, and soon gives birth to two offspring.  Beatrice is in charge of Mugisa and falls in love with her.

 

As soon as her kids are no longer in need of the milk, Beatrice begins milking her every morning for milk.  The milk feeds her family and gives them much needed nourishment.  The extra milk, is sold by Beatrice every morning.

 

Beatrice is surprised when her mother tells her that the sale of one of Mugisa's kids, and the money collected from the sale of her milk is enough to send Beatrice to school.  Beatrice has long desired to go to school and is SO happy to finally have the chance.

 

The book includes an afterword by Hillary Rodham Clinton, telling the story behind the book.  The Heifer Project International is a real organization that provides goats to families to help change their lives.  To do this they need, resources, training, and community support.  The Heifer project gives all three.  The author and illustrator were invited by the group to do research on the subject, this book is the direct result of that trip.

 

My daughters and I really enjoyed the book.  It is a good reminder that they have it pretty good.