Heifer Romania Kicks Off Passing on the Gift Month

01 April 2009

VRANCIOIA, Romania—On the first day of April, Heifer Romania celebrated a Passing on the Gift ceremony in Vrancioia, officially kicking off Passing on the Gift Month.

The day started with the planting of acacia saplings and then the delivery of 50 beehives to 10 new beneficiaries. The entire community as well as regional authorities witnessed the passing on of 88 lambs to eight young families, many of whom had learned the tradition of sheep breeding from their forefathers in this region of highland pastures.

“We gave the lambs from all our heart. We are glad to help others and hope they will cherish this gift as we do,” said Niculina Gheorghita, who passed on her lambs.

Also present on this special day were Steve Denne, Heifer International’s chief operating officer (above right); Rafal Laski, vice president of Heifer’s Central and Eastern Europe program (above left); and the Heifer Romania team. All celebrated the achievements and success of this project, a perfect way to kick off a chain of 200 Passing on the Gift ceremonies around the world.