Letter from the Executive Director
The Global Goats program is a free enterprise project dedicated to the concept that one should never do for others what they can and should do for themselves. We are intent on encouraging self reliance. We are focused on not creating a welfare or dependency state in the areas we serve; but, instead a state of interaction and involvement which leads to self-reliance and accomplishment. We strive to include participation of as many beneficiaries as possible.
- From the beginning, our cost of raising funds has never exceeded 9 percent of funds raised.
- Funds are raised through Family Charitable Trusts, foundation grants, corporate giving and from a long list of supporters who give lesser amounts on a regular basis.
Tom Wright
For the past 40 years Tom Wright, Executive Director of Global Goats has been active in providing health care, nutrition, education, shelter and economic development aid to 45 countries worldwide. What began in Latin America in 1973, as a health care and rural clinic building program, has spread to Central America for health care and in particular natal care, trade school development, entrepreneurship encouragement as well as shelter during the post Hurricane Mitch crises. Tom has also worked in Eastern Europe and the former Soviet Union to provide food, medical supplies, medical aid, learning materials as well as provide medical assistance to the victims of the Chernobyl nuclear accident. Most recently, Tom has focused his efforts in Kenya, Tanzania, and Rwanda, building clean water projects, clinics, school facility improvements and helping develop rural medical teams through the Rwandan National Medical School. The first goat project was launched in Kenya in December of 2009 and has expanded to Rwanda. Other countries soon to come on-line are Haiti and Honduras.
For his efforts, Tom has been the recipient of numerous awards and commendations from Presidents in the US and worldwide. In 1991, The Southwest Region of CARE International cited Tom Wright as its International Humanitarian of the Year. The American Institute for Public Service recognized his volunteer service by naming him recipient of the prestigious Jefferson Award. Tom was also named “Home Town Hero” by the Dallas Fox TV Channel.