Motivating Magdalena to Gain New Skills

When the state-run farms dominating Poland's Podkarpacie region collapsed with Communism, those who worked in the small plots of land were left with little resources and even less income.

"There are so many people here in need," said Magdalena Leszczynska, shown here with her children Emilka and Eryk and their Heifer rabbit.

"Rabbits are an ideal situation to help the poor families in our region," she added.

Heifer agrees. Because large agricultural activities just aren't possible in Podkarpacie, livestock projects here focus on sheep production and pure-bred rabbit breeding.

And as with all Heifer projects an emphasis on gender equity, cultural sensitivity and environmental sustainability is always prevalent. Men and women become equal partners in working toward sustainable development, and together, they share the benefits of their work.

In fact, a Heifer-sponsored research study conducted in rural Poland in January 2005 found that, thanks to Heifer trainings, women like Magdalena feel more motivated to gain new skills, widen their knowledge of agriculture and take more leadership roles in the community.

Read more about Heifer's Gender Equity Initiative.