Heifer International

In Romania, where poverty and hunger followed up the breakup of the Communist system, the Heifer provided cows made a difference.
Photo by: Darcy Kiefel

Heifer International

Every so often, you come across an organization that makes you say, “Yes, that’s exactly the way it should be done” and Heifer International is one of those special organizations.

Heifer International was started in 1944 by a Midwestern farmer named Dan West, who, while giving out rations of milk to hungry children during the Spanish Civil War, came to the wonderful conclusion and solution that “These children don’t need a cup, they need a cow.”

Since that time, Heifer International has helped over 4.5 million families in 115 countries for almost 60 years to become self-reliant through gifts of livestock. Giving a food source instead of short-term relief has proven to be a successful and truly beneficial way to help those in need.

Heifer International provides full participation in making the needed long-term change for the people this organization helps. Prior to donating the animals, recipients are trained & educated on their care. Additionally, recipients are taught how to incorporate environmental techniques to manage and sustain their area’s natural resources. Most importantly, recipients are required to “Pass on the Gift”, meaning their offspring, knowledge and resources to other families in need of assistance. This enables entire communities to benefit from the program.

Giving to this organization is also fun, because you get to chose what to give… anything from a flock of chicks for $20, to a “knitting basket” (2 llamas & 2 sheep) for $500, to a $5,000 “Gift Ark” which includes two flocks of chicks, two sheep, two trios of rabbits, two bee hives, two guinea pigs, two llamas, two camels, two donkeys, two goats, two oxen, two cows, two trios of ducks, two water buffalo, two flocks of geese and two pigs.

Also, something to keep in mind… Heifer International has gift cards available, so you can make a purchase in someone’s name and have a card sent letting them know what you've bought on behalf of them. Definitely a unique and meaningful gift for that hard to buy for friend or relative!

A young girl in Mexico snuggles with her family's sheep. The winters are cold in the Singuilucan region on Mexico, at 10,000 feet above sea level. Sheep wool means warm clothes and income for impoverished families.
Photo by: Darcy Kiefel

Educators and parents may also find it of interest that Heifer International has a wonderful program called “Read to Feed” where kids can participate in raising money for the organization by getting sponsored for reading books.

A parent or teacher can order a free leader’s packet and get everything they need to get started plus a lot of supplemental materials such as a video, a New York bestseller book called, “Beatrice’s Goat” about a little girl whose life was changed when Heifer International gave her a goat, booklets, stickers and bookmarks for each child. Additionally, there are curriculum programs for the middle elementary level, recommended book lists and coloring pages available through their website.

Susan Sarandon, Heifer International Supporter
Susan Sarandon actor & Heifer supporter
Photo by: Frooz Zahedi

After learning about the animals, the environment and the people in different parts of the world, the class or group can then enjoy picking out which kind of animal their “Read to Feed” is going to purchase.

Named by Forbes magazine as one of 10 "Gold Star Charities" in its 2003 list of organizations that achieve the highest impact from donors' gifts, you can rest assured that your money is going to right place and to a very worthy cause with Heifer International.

"The idea behind Heifer … is similar to the notion that it's better to teach a man to fish so he can feed himself than to give him a fish that will feed him just once. One animal could eventually benefit an entire community." — Associated Press

Related Links:

Heifer International

Read to Feed

Photos are copyright Heifer International

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