Helping to Restore Livelihoods

Farmers who lost everything in devastating floods are able to start over again thanks to a cow restocking program

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Heavy, continuous rainfall caused by the La Niña weather phenomenon pelted the Beni region of eastern Bolivia for over four months. More than 75 people died from flooding and treacherous conditions, and more than 5,000 families had to evacuate to makeshift camps.

When they returned home, they found mud-covered homes, flooded fields, flattened crops, and missing livestock. Some 430,000 cattle died in the floods, deeply affecting the people of the region who depend heavily on livestock.

To help restore livelihoods, Samaritan’s Purse is providing 200 cows to two municipalities in Beni.

Families receiving a cow must demonstrate an ability to care for the animal and sign a contract agreeing to return one offspring to Samaritan’s Purse to be redistributed to other needy people in the community.

Yasmani Mejia Bunder, a 28-year-old farmer, was one of the first to receive a cow.

“My dream has been fulfilled,” he said. “I know this is a blessing from God.”

Residents of each municipality selected committee members to manage the project. The local leaders will ensure animals are properly cared for and will oversee recordkeeping. Samaritan’s Purse staff prayed for God to bless each committee as they pledged to handle the new cattle with honesty, efficiency, and hard work.

The restocking program has helped restore confidence and stability to people such as Luciano Mucubono Cueva. The floods scattered his pigs, cows, and horses. His fields were a muddy mess and the crops that his family depended on were completely ruined. Witnessing the compassion of Christians caused Luciano to reflect on his relationship with the Lord.

“I know that this project comes from God,” Luciano said, “and that my commitment needs to be to God.”

“But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you” (Matthew 6:33, NKJV).

PLEASE PRAY

That the cows will remain healthy and productive, and sustain the needs of the Beni communities.

That many people in eastern Bolivia will come to know the love of Jesus Christ through the compassion of the Samaritan's Purse staff and other Christians.