Daisy Roxana Najera Gonzalez, 6 years old, (left) and Cary Rubelse, 5 years old, eat lunch in Guatemala | Photo by Russell Powell, courtesy of Heifer International.

I heard the bells on Christmas Day
Their old, familiar carols play
And wild and sweet
The words repeat
Of peace on earth, good-will to men!

-Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

The ringing of bells is associated with celebrations as well as times of great sadness and reflection. During the holiday season at Heifer International, employees ring cowbells to celebrate the receipt of donations from individuals, families, congregations, schools, businesses, civic organizations, and countless others who invest as partners in Heifer’s mission to end hunger and poverty.

Statistics on world hunger can sometimes seem daunting. The State of Food Insecurity in the World 2012 reports that one in eight people in the world are considered undernourished. But because of generous assistance from donors like you, Heifer’s program model continues to make a difference.

The sound of the cowbells represents dinner bells ringing in the almost 40 countries where Heifer International works around the world. Heifer International has assisted 18.5 million families – that’s a lot of dinner bells.

Your continued support brings Joy to the World this Christmas – and beyond. Your investment continues to multiply through generations of pass-on placements of animals and training. You can see this joy in the faces of Daisy Roxana Najera Gonzalez and Cary Rubelse (above) eating lunch together in Guatamela last July. And you can feel the joy expressed by Gayang project group members in the Philippines, who rewrote lyrics to the tune of a local Christmas song for a Passing on the Gift (POG) ceremony this November:

Gayang’s Song

The wind is softly blowing
Giving a happy feeling
Even if it is cold
It sings of POG that has to be told.

That is the beauty of Heifer and Igorota
Who are always there with us
They give hope to make the people happy
Hope that translates to peace and prosperity.

The wind is blowing whispering about POG
The wind sent by Heifer gives blessing continuously.

The roosters are crowing
The pigs are smiling
They are very happy
Because they are being passed on as blessings.

Merry Christmas, and a happy new year from Heifer International!

Reporting by Karla Narcise-Rodulfo, Heifer Philippines

You’ve made it through Thanksgiving Day and Black Friday. Are you ready for Cyber Monday?

Photo by Russell Powell, courtesy of Heifer International.

This little piggy went to market,
This little piggy stayed home,
This little piggy had roast beef,
This little piggy had none.
This little piggy went …
“Wee wee wee” all the way home!

Mother Goose wrote poetry to entertain children, but there is much wisdom to be found in her verses.  At Heifer International, the gift of a “little piggy” creates income potential at market, enables families to stay together at home, and provides a valuable source of protein for those who may have none.

Simon and Nino Gabunia live in Georgia’s Gurjaani village with their 9-year-old daughter Anna-Maria and Simon’s elderly mother. Before receiving a sow from Heifer, Simon considered traveling abroad, like most of his neighbors, to find work. “Of course, I was sad to leave my family, my sick mother, my beautiful wife and my girl,” Simon said, “but worst of all was that I was not able to support them.” Feeling morally obligated to take care of his family, Simon was beyond discouraged. Today, through the gift of a pig from Heifer International, Simon is grateful for the chance to become a good farmer and provide for his family.

Since he is able to produce pork himself, Simon can make a good living while selling it for a price that is agreeable to his customers. He and several other project participants intend to find a large wholesale customer who will distribute pork to restaurants and major supermarkets. “I’m not afraid, because good quality pork is always in demand,” Simon said. “I’m seriously thinking of expanding my farm and growing cereals that I will use for feeding pigs.”

Your gift of $120 ($10/share) establishes a “piggy bank” of savings and opportunity for project participants like Simon, Nino, and Anna-Maria, this holiday season and beyond.

This Cyber Monday, use your piggy bank to give the gift of a pig to a family in need.

Reporting by Marina Kazaryan, Heifer Georgia Project Assistant

This post is part of our What to Give series, where we’re helping you choose the best Heifer gift for your loved ones. Read previous What to Give posts here, and subscribe to the What to Give series here).

Still don’t know what to give? Check out our entire online Gift Catalog.