February 2013 Newsletter

Before and After: Life-Changing Transformation

The transformation brought about by the support of our donors seldom gets more extreme than the case of Pham Thi Thuy. For many years her family had a meager income and lived on the very edge of survival. And when their small house suddenly burned down, her family was left with next to nothing. Their situation looked grim, but all of that changed when they joined Heifer's project in Tan Hung. With the initial gift of a heifer and access to micro-loans, this resilient family has not only rebuilt their home, but they have also started a successful business that now employs several of their neighbors and impacts their own local economy.

Start a new cycle of transformation for another family >>

Let's Make Cows Fly

Donors, volunteers, recipients and our teams around the world share a common goal: to end hunger and poverty in a sustainable way. Together, we are creating this change and the END of hunger is no longer a fairy tale. Heifer's new When Cows Fly lets Heifer supporters and recipients share their stories of inspiration and passion. On When Cows Fly, you will find amazing stories, including a story of elementary school students raising money through their Read to Feed program so they can Pass on the Gift of education to other children around the world. And you can watch a video of a Passing on the Gift ceremony in Peru where project participants share the joy of helping one another. We invite you to join the conversation and share your own personal story of why you support Heifer's work around the world or how Heifer has made a difference in your own life. Together, we can make cows fly.

Join the movement on When Cows Fly >>

Pass on the Gift in Peru with Garnet Hill

Garnet Hill has supported Heifer's work around the world since 2009, and now they are offering an opportunity for two lucky friends to take the trip of a lifetime -- and make a difference in the lives of others. You could work hand in hand with Heifer International to foster sustainable development in the ancient Incan Empire capital of Cuzco, and learn about the country's colorful culture through exclusive guided tours.

Learn more about the Pass on the Gift in Peru sweepstakes >>

TOP BLOG POST

Where Does Chocolate Come From?Tis the season for chocolate. Over the past two weeks some 58 million pounds of chocolate were sold in the U.S., constituting $345 million in sales. Despite living a life surrounded by millions of pounds of chocolate sales, the chocolate creation process is a mystery for most of us. We know something called "cacao" or maybe "cocoa" grows on a tree somewhere and at some point sugar enters the equation, and more or less--voila! There's your chocolate. One Heifer staffer recently learned how chocolate is made from two brothers, age 10 and 12, who are Heifer project participants in Bolivia.

Read what Tito and Dani know about chocolate >>

The Heifer Blog is updated daily with fresh information, discussion and debate on the complex and often conflicting issues of hunger and poverty and caring for the Earth.

FOR YOUR LIFE

Fresh Citrus Salad Recipe... As we near the end of winter, we may be lamenting the variety of color on our plates. Luckily, citrus fruits are still in season, and they're not just for your sack lunch. Even better, they pack a tasty vitamin C punch while we're still in the midst of cold and flu season. Make this fresh citrus salad with cranberries to lighten your plate in more ways than one.

Get our citrus salad recipe on our blog >>