What does Heifer International do?
There are more than 800 million people in the world who don’t have enough
food to eat, and Heifer International believes that by empowering smallholder
farmers to feed themselves and their communities, they will in turn feed the
world population. Research shows that when investments are made in the world's
2.6 billion small-scale farmers, agriculture can make twice the impact on
poverty as growth in other areas.
For our work to be successful it is essential that we empower families to
create the conditions for their own success. We provide them with the tools and
resources, but they do the hard work. Heifer links communities and helps bring
sustainable agriculture and commerce to areas with a long history of poverty. Our
animals provide both food and reliable income, as agricultural products such as
milk, eggs and honey can be traded or sold at market.
How was the organization started?
A farmer from Indiana named Dan West founded Heifer International in the
early 1940s. His vision was that every man, woman and child be free of the
shackles of hunger, no longer plagued by poverty and despair.
Now 70 years later we continue with his vision as our guide because we
believe in giving poor families in the developing world the means to lift
themselves out of what seem to be the most dire of circumstances.
What sets it apart from other aid organizations?
The secret of Heifer’s success is that livestock reproduce. Heifer
provides hundreds of thousands of animals ever year, and every recipient
promises to “Pass on the Gift” to another family when their animal gives birth,
so one gift to Heifer multiplies. We’ve seen communities hold fast to this idea
over and over. In some places, 22 generations of Heifer animals can be traced.
On average, Passing on the Gift® lasts for at least nine generations, no
matter the project.
What are the advantages of alternative gifting?
Many of us complain about having so much “stuff” and Heifer International
provides a way to give a gift that is meaningful but doesn’t clutter up your
house. The gift of an animal like a
goat, duck or cow from Heifer International makes a unique and meaningful
present – especially since it goes where it’s most needed. Heifer provides
livestock and training to families in hunger and poverty around the world, and
provides them with the means to become self-sufficient. It’s really the gift
that keeps on giving.
Gift options examples:
Flocks of chicks ($20)
Honeybees ($30)
Goat ($120)
Heifer ($500)
How can people be sure that the money is getting to where it's intended to
go?
As a donor, you are given the opportunity to specify gifts to country
programs or for specific animals. Gifts are deposited into various animal
accounts, such as "llama/alpaca," "tree seedlings" or "bees." We have different accounts for
every type of Heifer International animal and we do our best to accommodate a
donor’s request, but ultimately meeting the needs of hungry families comes
first.
Every gift to Heifer International represents a gift to our total mission
of purchasing and transporting food and income-producing animals, as well as
providing intensive training in animal husbandry; environmentally sound,
sustainable farming; community development and global education. Again, gifts
designated for a particular project or animal are used as requested until that
need is fully met. Any remaining money is put to use where it is needed most.
Givers, recipients and participants all
become part of a movement of change. Together, we are making the world a better
place, where families can feed themselves and care for the planet. To learn
more please visit: www.heifer.org.
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