In a small corner of Siamal village in Sundargarh, five goats became more than livestock—they became a source of hope, confidence and a more secure future for Narmi and Prabhusahay Dung Dung.
For 58-year-old Narmi Dung Dung and her husband, 60-year-old Prabhusahay, life had always meant making difficult choices with very little to fall back on.
Members of the Kharia tribal community, the couple depended largely on irregular daily wage labour and their tiny 0.5-acre plot of land, where they grew paddy and vegetables mainly to feed their family. Two mahua trees provided some seasonal income, but it was never enough to create savings or plan for the future.
A poor harvest, an illness or a few days without work could quickly push the family into uncertainty.
A dream that once felt too risky
For years, Narmi and Prabhusahay had considered rearing goats. They knew livestock could provide a regular source of income, but they did not know how to begin.
They had neither the money to purchase goats nor the knowledge to manage their health, feeding and shelter. For a family already living on limited resources, losing an animal to disease could mean losing precious income.
Then an opportunity came through Samajik Seva Sadan (SSS).
As part of its livelihood initiative aimed at strengthening vulnerable Adivasi and Dalit families through improved agriculture and natural resource management, SSS encouraged the couple to consider goat rearing as a sustainable livelihood option.
But the support was about more than providing animals.
The family received five female goats and, equally importantly, practical training and continuous handholding.
Knowledge turned fear into confidence
Narmi and Prabhusahay learned how to maintain a clean and healthy goat shed, provide appropriate feed and identify early signs of illness. They were also introduced to simple, low-cost care practices and home remedies.
For common problems, they learned practices such as preparing garlic-ginger-jaggery ladus for cold symptoms, using rice water for digestive problems and responding quickly to diarrhoea.
Regular visits from SSS field staff gave the family the confidence to put their learning into practice.
Slowly, the fear of losing their animals began to disappear.
“We were afraid to start goat rearing because we did not know how to take care of the animals. The training and regular guidance gave us the courage to continue.”
Five goats become seventeen
The results soon began to speak for themselves.
With their growing confidence and knowledge, the family began purchasing additional goats using their own resources. By November 2025, their herd had grown from the initial five females to 17 goats—seven adult females, one male and nine kids.
Most importantly, not a single goat had died.
For a first-time goat-rearing family, this was more than a number. It was proof that knowledge, confidence and consistent support could turn a risky livelihood idea into a viable source of income.
17 goats. Zero losses. One growing dream.
A change that reached beyond the goat shed
The impact of the intervention did not stop with livestock.
As the family became more engaged with SSS activities, they also began changing the way they farmed their small plot. They started preparing compost pits and using organic manure to improve soil fertility and reduce dependence on external inputs.
In Rabi 2024, they harvested around 20 kg of mustard, primarily for household consumption. In the following season, they began cultivating tomatoes using compost.
Their two bullocks also supported farm operations by helping with ploughing, reducing the family's expenditure on agricultural labour.
The combination of livestock and farming gradually created a more diversified livelihood—giving the family more than one way to meet their needs.
From earning day-to-day to planning for tomorrow
Participation in Gram Sabha meetings, SSS field sessions and Self-Help Group (SHG) activities also helped Narmi and her family understand the importance of savings, planning and collective action.
Narmi became an active member of her SHG and began saving small amounts regularly.
For a household that had previously struggled to set aside even a small amount, this was a significant step.
Their dependence on irregular daily wage labour began to decline as their goats and farm became increasingly important sources of livelihood.
“We can now think about our future.”
Today, the Dung Dung family looks at their goats differently.
They are no longer simply animals to be cared for. They represent security, savings, income and possibility.
During a visit by the Programme Director, the family expressed their gratitude to the donor and SSS team:
“We thank Andheri Hilfe wholeheartedly for the financial support arranged for our betterment, and SSS for encouraging us and giving us the courage to begin this goat farm.”
Their ambition has also grown with their herd.
The family now dreams of expanding their goat shed and eventually rearing up to 50 goats.
The power of a small beginning
The story of Narmi and Prabhusahay is not about a dramatic overnight transformation. It is about something quieter and perhaps more powerful—a family gaining the confidence to believe that their circumstances can change.
Five goats provided the beginning. Training provided knowledge. Regular handholding provided confidence. And the family's own determination turned that opportunity into growth.
For families living with limited resources, resilience is often built one small step at a time.
In Siamal village, five goats opened the door to a bigger dream—and Narmi and Prabhusahay are now walking confidently towards it.
With the support of Andheri Hilfe and the dedicated handholding of Samajik Seva Sadan, a vulnerable tribal family has moved from livelihood uncertainty towards greater self-reliance.
The intervention demonstrates that sustainable change does not always begin with a large investment. Sometimes, it begins with five goats, practical knowledge and someone who believes in a family's ability to succeed.