Friendship Projects Go Where Others Can't

The Laotian village of Wung Ma is hours away from the nearest town, and accessible only by difficult roads. Its remote location and their lack of transportation have kept its inhabitants poor, illiterate and, often, in bad health.

When Heifer arrived in 1996 and began working with the Laotian government, a mutual respect between village farmers and Heifer staff quickly grew.

Now part of Heifer's umbrella Mekong River Region, the living loans and training shared by participants are still referred to as "Friendship Projects." 

Like her neighbor Kamporn, Koon and her baby Buason are becoming more and more self-reliant thanks to their Heifer cow.

"I always dreamed of having cows, Kamporn said, "but knew on my own I could not afford them."

Now, he says, his cow is the best thing he's ever received, and he's looking forward to the time he can pass on one of its offspring to another family. 

"I am so thankful someone understood our poverty and came to help," he said.

"I do not know how to express my gratitude. This is the highest I have ever been in my life."