Thinking Globally and Acting Locally:

Heifer International has been helping impoverished people become more self-reliant since 1944. With projects all over the world including here in the US they are one of the largest non profit charities in operation. In 2006 Heifer had 726 active projects in 57 countries including projects in 29 US states. Heifer International is a unique nonprofit organization that doesn't just apply a bandage to poverty but works to help end poverty. Individuals don't donate money directly to Heifer, instead each donation buys an animal or a share of an animal that will be gifted to an impoverished family. The family is taught how to care for the animal, and the animal then provides a myriad of support for the family and sometimes extended family or village. Chickens provide eggs for nutrition and income once extra or chicks are sold. Goats provide milk, and hair that can be woven into cloth. Animals given are usually indigenous to the particular area. Animals provided include chickens, goats, heifers, water buffalo, sheep, llamas, honeybees, ducks, geese and more.

By giving people the means to sustain themselves and improve their condition over time through education and awareness Heifer helps foster economic growth for an entire area, not just one family. They teach eco-friendly farming techniques as well as basic veterinary care which give villagers marketable skills. In return for receiving the gift of an animal from Heifer, the recipients agree to continue the giving and pass on offspring from their animal to others in need, or teach the skills they have been taught. Repayment for the "Living Loan" is promised by every recipient. They agree to donate one of more of their animal's offspring to another family in need, continuing the chain of self-reliance. Teaching people to be self-reliant is one of the most effective ways to fight poverty. Unlike most charities which focus on helping the poor in other countries, Heifer works extensively to fight hunger in the US as well as internationally.

Heifer's Cornerstone Principles are the foundation for all the work they do. Their Cornerstone Principles are:

Accountability - Community members deciding for themselves what kind of animal and assistance they need as well as goals, strategies and income management to continue to grow their community.

Sharing and Caring - Heifer believes that global problems can be solved when people are committed to sharing what they have and caring about others.

Sustainability and Self-Reliance - Heifer believes these are necessary factors for long-term success. Teaching people to be self-reliant is the best way to ensure they don't fall back into poverty.

Improved Animal Management - Teaching the families to keep their animals healthy, happy and productive through proper diet, shelter, and healthcare.

Nutrition and Income - These are the benefits provided to families through Heifer animals and education.

Gender and Family Focus- Heifer encourages women and men to work together to make decisions, set goals, and care for the animals.

Genuine Need and Justice- Heifer works to ensure that those with the most dire needs are given priority in receiving animals and education.

Improving the Environment - Heifer teaches agroecological farming techniques like monitoring watershed conditions, minimizing erosion, and promoting forestation.

Full Participation - Leaders at the grassroots levels are committed to involving all members in decision making and goal setting.

Training and Education- Formal and informal farm visits, demonstrations, and training provided by local trainers are key to the success of Heifer projects.

Spirituality- Heifer believes in common values, common beliefs about th value of all life, connection to the earth and a shared vision of the future. Heifer works with people of all beliefs to fight poverty.

How It Works

There are three components in a typical Heifer project:
First, Heifer helps a community analyze their situation. Asking basic questions like "What do we need?", "What resources are available?", and "Where do we want to be in five years?" helps them set goals and plan how to achieve those goals as a community. Next the community prepares for the Heifer animal. The recipient is taught animal care as well as how to build a proper shelter for the animal. When this is done, the animal arrives bringing a variety of benefits like milk, wool, draft power, eggs and offspring to pass along to someone else. The community continues to evaluate and adapt their goals based on their progress.

Success Stories
You can find many success stories on Heifer's website like that of Christine.
Christine Makahumure lives in Rwanda. Her husband and son were killed in the 1994 war, caught in the crossfire during a shootout in their village. Left with no husband Christine was barely able to feed herself, her daughter and parents. When she received a Heifer cow, the milk supplemented the family's diet and she was able to buy a home from the income made from selling milk. She gave the first calf to a neighbor so that the neighbor could also have milk for nutrition and make some income selling extra milk. She then donated money to her neighbor to allow the neighbor to build a shelter and get their own Heifer cow. With her improved financial status and security provided by her cows she adopted four war orphans and taught them to care for the animals. In this way a single cow helped end hunger and fight poverty for many people.

Another success story comes from the Dominican Republic. Vivianna was a 37 year-old woman with seven children who was terrified that her alcoholic husband would leave her with no money and no way to feed their children. Heifer and another local group, CAFESA, were offering veterinary training classes near her village. These "para-vets" are paid by the animal owners to administer medicines when the animals are sick from parasites or mastitis. Vivianna bought four pigs with the initial money she earned from her para-vet training and is now saving for a better home. "Before, I had to ask my husband for everything," she says," Now my biggest liberation is making my own money. I'm a new Vivianna, and if my husband leaves I will be OK."

Heifer's Work in the US

Heifer doesn't only work in Third World countries though. Right here in the US they work with inner city groups to create community gardens for inner city youth to teach them responsibility, basic business practices, and nutrition. Vegetables and eggs and milk from livestock are sold at markets to fund neighborhood improvement projects and after school programs. In Appalachia, one of the poorest areas of the US, Heifer works diligently to provide training and resources as well as income animals to the people who are fighting desperate circumstances. Examples of Heifer projects in the US include:

The Y Worms Project in Milwaukee, WI -
Working in one of the poorest neighborhoods in Milwaukee the Y Worms project taught inner city kids how to build a micro enterprise with vermiculture and organic herb production. Heifer trainers and community development volunteers helped the kids develop marketable life skills, earn personal income and grow nutritious food for their families.

The Added Value and Herban Solutions Project - NYC, NY
The Added Value and Herban Solutions Project teaches South Brooklyn youths ages 14-19 to create safe community gathering spaces and organic farmland by providing them with social and economic business training. By reclaiming vacant and run down land in the Red Hook neighborhood Added Values is working hard to build social capital while improving the environment. By creating gardening space and teaching the youths to grow organic, healthy food for their families and the community Heifer is increasing economic growth and providing valuable education and training for the residents.

How You Can Get Involved

There are many ways to get involved with Heifer International. You can donate an animal, or a share of an animal, at their website: http://www.heifer.org. You can set up a personal Gift Registry, so instead of asking for presents for your wedding, shower, birthday or holiday you can ask people to go to your registry on Heifer and donate animals or shares of animals.
You can also plan a family trip to one of their "learning centers" around the country to experience farm life and learn more about organic, sustainable farming and how Heifer works. Heifer Learning Centers have guided tours, immersion experiences and single or multi-day educational programs. Training centers in the US are located in MI, AK, MA, and CA. You can also volunteer to be a Heifer trainer and help people learn necessary life skills and animal management and care.

Visit the Heifer International website at : http://www.heifer.org for more information on Heifer, their projects, and how you can help.