Five Days Below the Poverty Line

Posted on May 24, 2013 by Chelsey McNiel

Every week we feature a fun and/or educational activity you can try at home or in the classroom. This week, we want to present you with the Live Below the Line challenge. Join others on World Hunger Day and support the campaign that fights poverty through the movement of enthusiastic people.

Photo credit: facebook.com/UNICEF-USA

The Global Poverty Project initiated the campaign to educate and mobilize mission-minded people in the fight against hunger and poverty.

About 1.4 billion people worldwide live below the poverty line every day. Heifer International helps families and communities who live in extreme poverty.

Our long-term solutions distinguish Heifer from emergency relief aid organizations. We provide livestock along with training and education so people can lift themselves out of poverty and lead sustainable lives.

Your goal is to experience a week in the lives of the world’s pooerest people. In the U.S., living below the poverty line for five days means spending only $1.50 a day on food and drink.

Help end hunger and poverty

Volunteers Make a World of Difference

Posted on May 22, 2013 by Chelsey McNiel

Photo by Chelsey McNiel, Communications Intern, Heifer Headquaters

Photo by Chelsey McNiel, Communications Intern, Heifer Headquarters

Heifer International volunteers change lives as they share in our mission to end hunger and poverty and care for the Earth. They generate support and spread joy through fundraising, education and meaningful relationships.

In the Southern Philippines, volunteers helped project participants learn methods and strategies for improved animal health.

Jun Ayensa, regional program manager for Heifer Southern Philippines, captured their work in a photo story.

Learn how you can make a world of difference

Don’t Be a Rat, Unpack!

Posted on May 17, 2013 by Chelsey McNiel

Every week we feature a fun and/or educational activity you can try at home or in the classroom. Today is National Pack Rat Day and like pack rats, some of us tend to collect more belongings than we really need. Here at Heifer International we encourage people to practice Sharing and Caring, one of Heifer’s 12 Cornerstones for Just and Sustainable Development. If you’ve got some things to unpack, here are a few options to lighten your load.

Photo credit: oddlovescompany.com

Hold a Clothing Swap
Donating old clothing is helpful, but a swap can make a more direct impact in your neighborhood or organization. Ask participants to bring a few articles of clothing and then have fun haggling over the trades. A swap can also be done with shoes, toys and books.
Upcycle With Style
Old T-shirts for quilt squares, abandoned toys as planters and plastic grocery bags to make trash cans-Pinterest is filled with DIY instructions. Inventive minds are a powerful tool in caring for the earth. Before you recycle, try to find ways to upcycle the weary and worn things in your cluttered closets.
Give Your Time
If you have a “load” of time on your hands, why not use it to help others organize their abundant belongings? Or, use it in other meaningful ways like taking a meal to new parents, offering to walk your elderly neighbor’s dog or care for the Earth by picking up trash.

Through cooperation and friendship, there are many ways to share and care. Be creative and get involved in your community. Small acts of kindness will spread, building a large network of giving to Pass on the Gift® of hope, unity and friendship.

Learn how you can spend meaningful time at Heifer

Incredible Mothers of Rwanda

Posted on May 15, 2013 by Chelsey McNiel

Photo courtesy of Heifer International

In African villages where Heifer International’s mission has not yet reached, lives mothers who struggle daily to feed and care for their families.

Rwandan mothers of Heifer projects share the same struggles. They are determined to build thriving businesses and provide for their children.

These incredible mothers of Rwanda are proud of their children and dream of overcoming the challenge of hunger and poverty.

Leigh Wood, Heifer’s donor engagement manager, shares about her recent visit with these amazing women.

Empower mothers around the globe

Female Farmer Succeeds Through Training

Posted on May 8, 2013 by Chelsey McNiel

Story by John Allen | External Relations Specialist | Heifer South Africa

Constance Masala, her husband and two children live in Musunda village, South Africa. For several years, their village suffered from a serious drought and the family survived month to month on a meager government grant.

A couple years after joining the Khongode Project in 2009, the family received five goats and livestock training from Heifer South Africa. During Heifer’s training, Constance studied basic veterinary care and also trained her children to detect when the animals have fallen ill. Now she can correctly identify common diseases, properly measure medications, vaccinate livestock against diseases and assist during problematic births. She also learned how to protect her goats from baboons and jackals, which plague the village.

Through Heifer’s training, Constance Masala and her children have learned how to properly care for their goats. Photo courtesy of Heifer South Africa

Constance has successfully reared eight more goats from her original five, which have brought joy to the Masala family and other impoverished families through Passing on the Gift® (POG). During a June 14, 2012 POG ceremony, Constance passed on a pregnant goat to project participant Gladys Munzhelele, which allowed Gladys to start a small-scale farming business.

“Our lives have changed,” Constance said. “Every morning my husband and I and the kids go to the kraal to check if the goats slept well.”

This Mother’s Day, help women like Constance improve their livelihoods and provide for their families. Give your mother a gift of purpose and impact. Gift Different. Give Heifer.

This Mother’s Day. Gift Different. Give Heifer. Photo courtesy of Heifer International

Learn how you can help Pass on the Gift®

From the Field: Assembled to Celebrate

Posted on May 7, 2013 by Chelsey McNiel

This weekly post shines a light on a handful of stories from Heifer.org’s “From the Field” section.

Heifer International project participants work hard every day to Pass on the Gift® (POG) they once received and transition from recipient to donor. Sharing their success often brings participants joy and a commendable cause to celebrate.

In March and April 2013, Heifer Cambodia self-help groups (SHG) organized seven POG ceremonies. More than 820 families shared gifts of livestock, vegetables, tree seeds and rice with new project families. During one ceremony, POG recipient Chea Sambo responded with gratitude to her donor family, “Words cannot express how happy I am to receive the gifts. I promise to take good care of the animal and improve my garden so that I can pass on to other needy families, and become a donor like your family.Thanks much to your family and to Heifer.”

Heifer Cambodia participants Pass on the Gift® of chickens during an April 2013 ceremony. Photo by Toeng Rothy, Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation Officer, Heifer Cambodia.

Armenian YES! Youth Clubs gathered to celebrate the past year’s activities during the 10th Youth Parliament General Assembly, April 26-27, 2013. Thirty clubs shared about their projects, which were mostly focused on civic participation and responsibility, and the success of their small businesses. Vardouhi Torosyan, a 13-year-old jewelry-making business owner, said she was able to pass on her seed money of $100 to another club member so he could also start a business.

Heifer China project participants joyfully celebrate after a POG with a Tibetan Guozhuang (bonfire) dance. Photo by Droma Sangmo, Tibet Regional Project Manager, Heifer China

Heifer China participants prepare to celebrate after a POG ceremony with a Tibetan Guozhuang (bonfire) dance. Photo by Droma Sangmo, Tibet Regional Project Manager, Heifer China

Beneath snowy mountain peaks, farmers in Tibet applauded each other during a wintry April POG. Participants from Dan Nu, Xue Ba and Zhi Ba villages passed on a monetary fund worth about $37,342 to Xu Ba village. Three candidates were distinguished among their community for modeling exceptional behavior and a traditional Tibetan Guozhuang (bonfire) dance ended the celebration.

Learn how you can help Pass on the Gift®

Felicia: A Mother in Romania

Posted on May 1, 2013 by Chelsey McNiel

Felicia lives in Romania with her husband and nine children. She works tirelessly to provide her family with everything they need to be healthy and happy. Since joining a buffalo project in 2011, the family’s nutrition has improved from the milk and dairy products their buffalo, Florica, provides. Felicia has hope for a bright future for her family.

Greta Grishanova, Director of Programs for Heifer’s Central and Eastern Europe area, shares Felicia’s story.

This Mother’s Day. Gift Different. Give Heifer. Photo courtesy of Heifer International

This Mother’s Day. Gift Different. Give Heifer.

From the Field: New Beginnings

Posted on April 30, 2013 by Chelsey McNiel

This weekly post shines a light on a handful of stories from Heifer.org’s “From the Field” section.

Heifer International works with families to help direct men and women toward gender equality. As men and women participate in projects together, communities develop a sense of unity and respect. After joining Heifer, project participants not only see major improvements in their income and living conditions, but regain trust and hope in their relationships. Where despair may have seemed overwhelming, new beginnings unfold as friendships produce respect and families are reunited.

Heifer Vietnam project participant Nguyen Thi Thu Trang, 39, with her two daughters. Photo by Nguyen Xuan Quyen, Communication and Networking Officer, Heifer Vietnam

Nguyen Thi Thu Trang, a 39-year-old Heifer Vietnam project participant, is a resilient woman with a painful past. Trang married her first husband when she was 25 years old and quickly found herself in an abusive relationship. After her husband beat her and threw her into a river for buying rice, Trang divorced him and began a new life. She remarried and is grateful to now have a respectful and honest husband. She and her current husband harvest rice and rent out their tractor to earn a living in their village. Trang works hard to make the most of every opportunity and has hope that her two daughters will live a happy life.

Sriman Thapa, a 9-year-old boy from Nepal, was bullied becuase of his parents disabilities. After his mother contributed goats in a POG, the teasing stopped. Photo by Alina Karki, Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation Temp, Heifer Nepal

Sriman Thapa, 9, was bullied because of his parents’ disabilities. After his mother contributed goats in a POG, the teasing stopped. Photo by Alina Karki, PME Temp, Heifer Nepal

Sriman Thapa, 9, lives in Nepal with his mother and father. He was relentlessly bullied because his parents are “laata,” meaning deaf and mute. The constant teasing established Sriman’s identity with his parent’s disability. When his mother contributed to another family in a Passing on the Gift® (POG) ceremony, the bullying stopped. By caring for her community, Sriman’s mother changed her son’s life and her community’s perspective.

Due to conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan, the Beglaryan family left their Armenian village for several years. They returned home just before the first POG took place. A fellow villager presented the family with a cow, which inspired them to believe in a prosperous future. The Beglaryans want to improve their livelihoods and the economic life of their community. Their belief in this new beginning will help others push forward with hope.

Learn how you can help families find new beginnings worldwide

Help End Hunger and Poverty, Improve the Environment

Posted on April 26, 2013 by Chelsey McNiel

Every week we feature a fun and/or educational activity you can try at home or in the classroom. Ending hunger and poverty can not be accomplished without also caring for the Earth, and Heifer International believes achieving environmental sustainability is key. In honor of Arbor Day, try this long bean tepee project in your own backyard. You can improve the environment, create a shady spot to rest and boost your family’s nutrition.

Photo credit: e-infopages.com

Materials:

6-8 six foot branches or poles
Rope
Long Bean Seeds
Fertilizer

How to Build A Long Bean Tepee

Stake the poles into the ground in a wide circle, leaving an open section for a door.
Then, tie the tops of the poles together with rope.
Plant your long bean seeds around the tepee’s frame.
Water and fertilize the seeds.
After several days, (7-14 to germinate) the seeds will sprout and need to be loosely tied to the poles until they begin to grow up the poles on their own.
With proper watering, sprouts should reach the tepee’s top in about 7-8 weeks.
Trim extra growth as needed and enjoy!

Learn about Heifer’s work toward reforestation

Help families build healthy, sustainable lives worldwide

Coffee Social Celebrates Fresh Brewed Partnership With Green Mountain

Posted on April 26, 2013 by Chelsey McNiel

Heifer International President and CEO Pierre Ferrari (left) and ??? answer questions regarding Heifer's work with Green Mountain Coffee. Photo by Chelsey McNiel, Communications Intern, Heifer Headquarters

Heifer International President and CEO Pierre Ferrari (left) and Americas Vice President Oscar Castaneda (right) answer questions regarding Heifer’s work with Green Mountain Coffee Roasters. Photo by Chelsey McNiel, Communications Intern, Heifer Headquarters

On Wednesday, April 24, 2013, Heifer International Headquarters enjoyed a Coffee Social and small fair, which celebrated the recent approval of Heifer’s work with Green Mountain Coffee Roasters (GMCR) in Peru and Honduras.

The panel included Heifer’s President and CEO Pierre Ferrari, Americas Vice President Oscar Castañeda, Guatemala Country Director Gustavo Hernandez and Global Partnerships and Alliances team member Kenny Clark. Rick Peyser and Colleen Popkin of GMCR also joined the panel by phone to answer questions.

The joint partnership aims to end “los meses flacos,” or “the thin months,” for 8,000 smallholder farmers in the Central and South America coffeelands. The “thin months” occur after the coffee harvest during the rainy season. Hernandez said during this time many coffee farmers lack proper nutrition for their families and may have to borrow money to survive throughout the year. He added that education is critical to make the correct and positive social changes.

“Something very important is that Green Mountain is leading more coffee farmers to earn more resources and to build food security in their communities,” Hernandez said. “That is the point of the partnership that we have. Our mission is to end hunger, to end poverty, and we are together in this challenge.”

Heifer International employees browse the small fair of products like honey, chocolate and coffee from Guatamala, Honderas, Brazil and others. Photos by Chelsey McNiel, Communications Intern, Heifer Headquarters

“The Heifer team in the Americas has taken great strides,” Popkin said, encouraging Heifer staff to keep up the good work.

GMCR representative Rick Peyser agreed, saying, “We appreciate greatly the tremendous work that [Heifer International] is doing on the ground and the impact that [it's] having.”

Heifer International and GMCR hope other organizations will join the efforts to continue working toward food security in the coffeelands.

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