Letters

KUDOS FOR FALL 2009
Thank you for your gift of communication through writing! Although the whole Fall 2009 issue is inspiring, two articles really grabbed my attention: the interview of Dan Pallotta by Donna Stokes and “After the Fall,” by Jaman Matthews. I’m not eager to give this issue away ... loan it, OK, but I want to reread parts in order to learn several principles of living/giving. A third piece of special interest is the naming of Miller Davis as “Dan West Fellow.” Dan West was one of my instructors when I was a Brethren Volunteer Service worker 58 years ago, and Miller Davis is the president of the board of directors of the Palms Estates where I live. I commend you on your choice!
EMILY MUMMA
Lorida, Fla.

I am very moved by what I have read in the [Fall 2009] magazine about the many ways the purpose of this organization plays out around the world. The first letter, “An Exceptional Gift” on Page 4—so special from this boy. “Safe and Solar” on Page 9—so-o-o great to protect these women and children! Yes, I did read that it was a Jewish organization providing the solar stoves, but you put the news in World Ark. The article “Pedal Pushers”—so thankful for the Gates Foundation’s help for you! A parting kudo for the article on the folks in Bolivia—beautiful pictures, scenery and happy people, amazing woven fabric, happy boy with his Heifer llama.
ELEANOR GAMARSH
Gardner, Mass.

Thanks for the Fall 2009 issue, with the great articles about Bolivia and Indonesia. It’s good as always to get details about the work Heifer is doing with partners in the recipient countries. One question: in the education that’s done with recipients, is there ever information and encouragement about family planning? Reading about the Bolivian family with 11 children made me sad, since overpopulation is a major contributor to poverty and environmental degradation. I know that educating girls helps counter this problem, and that Heifer’s efforts help get schooling for girls—but do you do anything more direct relating to this problem?
JULIE SPICKLER
Menlo Park, Calif.

Editor’s Note: Although Heifer International does not have specific family planning programs, we are part of the solution in two ways. First, many of the participant groups, especially women’s groups, feel a real sense of accomplishment and empowerment after they have successfully carried out the first phases of their Heifer International project. One of the first results from project participation is that parents spend additional income for education for their children. Education, especially of girls, has been shown to directly affect birth rates. Perhaps more important is the result of Heifer’s helping hungry people feed themselves. Study after study as far back as the 1950s concluded that poverty contributes to overpopulation (and not the other way around). As long as children are seen as social security for old age or emergencies, or as a source of labor for a family that is struggling day to day, having as many children as possible is seen as an economic benefit. But when the standard of living of a society improves, the population rate begins to level off. By helping farm families become self-reliant and have security (for old age or emergencies) in their livestock, Heifer is helping families to determine that they have a choice in family size. As poverty declines, so will the birth rate. In this way, Heifer is an important player in the struggle to bring population rates down.

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KNIT-PICKING
In the Fall 2009 issue of World Ark the article in Heifer Spirit may have been about the world’s longest knitted scarf, but the picture was of a crochet hook and crocheted yarn. Someone wasn’t paying attention!
K. PORTER
Fort Wayne, Ind.

Great article. Too bad for Linda Cortright and all the knitters that participated in the project that the photo was of a crochet hook and a crocheted swatch rather than a pair of knitting needles and a knitted swatch. I can assure you that knitters and crocheters are distinctly different!
STEFFANIE WADDINGTON
Michigan City, Miss.

Editor’s note: The article about “the world’s longest scarf” failed to mention that crocheted scarf lengths are welcome, along with knitted ones.

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MIXED REVIEWS ON PALLOTTA
Your interview with Dan Pallotta was very disappointing. Of course it is not in his interest for prospective donors to question the percentage of donations that are siphoned off to pay for the fundraising events he manages. I notice that, while you give a figure for the millions Pallotta has helped raise for charity, you do not give a corresponding figure for the millions he has earned through this work. It is totally disingenuous to argue that asking about net charitable contributions gets in the way of asking equally pertinent questions about the mission of charities hosting fundraising events. A prospective donor should ask and, ideally, be informed in advance about BOTH. It is absurd (if not insulting) to suggest that an interest in the management of donations precludes an interest in a charity’s essential mission. It is equally absurd to suggest that setting a timeline for the solution to a targeted problem will, on its own, expedite the solution to that problem. This is just glib PR. How many times has that been done with cancer? Nixon promised a cure by 2000.
ELLEN LEOPOLD
Cambridge, Mass.

I love the World Ark and always read it cover to cover. It gives us another view of the world. Thanks. Your article “Letting Nonprofits Loose,” an interview with Dan Pallotta, is right on. Thanks for having the guts to print it. I have been a builder and developer for over 30 years. Almost six years ago I put my business on the shelf and began a time with Habitat for Humanity as a local executive director of the program in my home area of Elkhart County, Ind. To make a long story short, your interview is right on: Figure out what success looks like and move forward with faith and a vision.
RICHARD MILLER
Goshen, Ind.

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LOOKING FOR THE BOOKS
I am interested in buying the books featured in World Ark. Where can I find them?
CYNTHIA FAUSNIGHT
St. Marys, Kan.

Editor’s note: The books are available for purchase online from mainstream booksellers. You may also be able to order them from your local bookseller or find them at your local library.