With so many worthwhile charities out there and with so much need right here at home (America's Second Harvest has become Feeding America -
http://feedingamerica.org/ ) it seems brazen on my part to suggest you consider Heifer International in your gift giving this season. However, I am a firm believer that peace will only come when hunger and poverty are eradicated world-wide. With that belief, I think we need to be moving at the speed of light to be sure that
no one goes to bed hungry and that
everyone wakes up knowing where breakfast is going to come from and each and every meal thereafter.
I like the way Heifer International approaches the problem with real solutions (They have been teaching "a man how to fish" for nearly 60 years.) So, give them a look. If you have an extra $20.00 (and lots and lots of people do not!) see if they are worth receiving it.
http://www.heifer.org/
Our Initiatives
Heifer has learned over the years that a holistic approach is necessary in order to build sustainable communities. So we’ve developed a set of global initiatives – areas of emphasis that must be addressed if we’re to meet our mission of ending world hunger and poverty and caring for the earth.
Agroecology
In a world where land is overused, community members need to learn how to protect and rejuvenate their land, water and other natural resources. Heifer helps by teaching environmentally sound agricultural techniques.
Animal Well-Being
Before any Heifer animal is passed along to a project partner, Heifer trains the new recipient in animal management, using our strictly enforced. Animal Welfare Guidelines
Gender Equity
In Heifer's view, gender equity is a social justice and human rights issue that directly leads to ending hunger and poverty. That's why our participants are equal partners in sustainable development projects.
HIV-AIDS
Today, we as a world community, confront AIDS, a virus that in the past 25 years has either infected or killed over 64 million people. It is not only a health issue, as it fractures every sector of society, for Heifer, it is a prominent concern in the arena of sustainable development. This is why Heifer is incorporating HIV/AIDS education in our community training groups.
Microenterprise
Heifer provides both "no-interest living loans" in the form of livestock, as well as small monetary loans to help people start and expand businesses that yield big benefits for families.
Urban Agriculture
Heifer is reconnecting city-dwellers with their food sources, building strong alliances and instilling an entrepreneurial spirit among adults and youth through our Urban Agriculture projects.
Young People's Initiative
Heifer weaves youth-focused programs through all our project work and emphasizes young people's needs. |
This year I "bought" this in John's name and he will find out that I did that when he looks in his Christmas stocking on Christmas morning! (Or when he sees it on this blog. LOL)
|
|
|
|
Flock of Hope
Your gift of a Flock of Hope will include chicks, ducklings and goslings that will grow up to lay precious eggs that mean hope and increasing health and prosperity for hungry families from the Philippines to Rwanda. Eggs add vital protein to malnourished families' diets, and droppings provide a wonderful natural fertilizer to improve crop yields. Over time as the flocks grow, families can sell the surplus eggs and produce at market and use the extra income to send children to school, build secure housing and more!
View more Heifer gifts
| |
This year I "bought" this in Megan's name and she will find out that I did when she looks in her Christmas stocking on Christmas morning! (If you read it here first, pretend you didn't, Megan!)
|
|
|
|
Nourish the Earth With an Earth Basket
Earth Baskets provide two essential gifts: additional income for families and support for the environment. Bees produce honey and wax that supply income when sold at the local market. And did you know that an active beehive's pollenation makes for more efficient crop growth? The Earth Basket also contains tree seedlings which provide shade and fodder for animals and prevent soil erosion. Mother Nature would certainly appreciate this thoughtful gift. Give an Earth Basket today.
View more Heifer gifts
| |
Comments