CORNERSTONE: SUSTAINABILITY AND SELF-RELIANCE
HOW IT WORKS:
Short-term fixes eat up resources and don't help families learn how to provide for themselves in the longterm. Heifer projects focus on caring for animals and the Earth so that they continue to produce. Participants get an initial boost from Heifer, but help comes in the form of tools and knowledge that will allow them to make their own way.
IN ACTION:
Be mindful of your weight on the planet. Could you tread more lightly? When you can, eat foods that are grown locally. Carpool or walk. Reuse and recycle. Be aware of the true price of what you buy. Was the person who made it fairly compensated? Was the air, water or soil polluted?
Meeting the Children of Heifer Nepal
Nepal
I see children everywhere at Passing on the Gift® events, door-to-door visits, hanging around their mothers and marching in rallies alongside women. These children are growing up around strong, independent women who have a voice and opinions to bring change in their community.
A Cow Brings Hope into Life of Fear
Armenia
Life in Chinar is very dangerous. Every day my wife takes our two kids to the kindergarten with a feeling of fear in her heart. The other day the nurse in the kindergarten told my wife that every time when the shootings start she turns on the music very loudly so that the children don’t hear the shootings. Thanks to Heifer we now have a cow and a calf.
A Visit to Bolivia's Chocolate Forest
Bolivia
World Ark Senior Editor Austin Bailey and Heifer Americas Program Assistant Jason Woods share about their recent trip to Bolivia's "Chocolate Forest."
Selling Agroecological Products at the Market in Ecuador
Ecuador
We sell the horchata for 40 cents a glass and can earn about $150 in a day. It is a source of income. It helps with the costs of school for my son and food for home.
Seeing the Nature of Heifer's Work
Vietnam
I was amazed to see firsthand the holistic view of development that Heifer propagates. The projects are not limited to passing on a cow; rather, Heifer's 12 Cornerstones for Just and Sustainable Development encompass every aspect of life, from diversifying incomes to empowering women and families to working together to end poverty.
Pierre Ferrari Visits Projects in Nepal
Nepal
Their success is an inspiration not just to me, but to groups like them all over the world who see that whatever they can imagine they can make real with their own hands.
Once a Recipient, Now a Donor
Nepal
I received two goats from Heifer International and applied the knowledge I acquired during Improved Animal Management training while raising them. After receiving the animals I have passed on two goats. My small effort has helped my family have a better life. I hope other women will be able to achieve bigger success by working harder.
Sharing a Dream
I've always had this dream of buying a piece of land and starting a homestead on it. Nothing very big or grandiose but just a place where I could raise at least some of my own food and a few animals.
Young Armenian Girl Achieves Egg-cellence
Armenia
I love my business. It's not an easy deal; it requires care, attention and a high sense of responsibility.
Rabbits Bring Profits to Armenian Teen
Armenia
With the money I was granted by Heifer, I bought four she-rabbits and one male rabbit. I also bought feed for them.
Aol Josphine, Gulu Women Dairy Farmers Project
Uganda
Aol Josphine in Acet Central village, Uganda. She is a participant in Heifer International's Gulu Women Dairy Farmers project. See more photos.
Georgian Woman's Garden Produces Hope After War
Georgia
Eka Surameli and her children were displaced from their Georgian village during the Russian-Georgian war. The conflict destroyed border villages and people's gardens and orchards. In 2011, the Rural Development for Future Georgia (RDFG) partnered with Heifer Georgia to improve the livelihoods and economic conditions of people in this region, including Eka. She attended trainings on agricultural technologies and drip irrigation systems, and received seedlings. Heifer is creating a better life for people and give them the most important thing-hope for a peaceful future.
Sandura, Zimbabwe: a Community of Transformation
Zimbabwe
The community of Sandura is in Zimbabwe’s Gokwe North district in the Midlands province.
An Amazing Woman
Vietnam
Following the small concrete path, we were surprised to find a lively painted thatched house peacefully surrounded by green paddyfield, pig pen, hen house and garden of flowers.
Cooperatives in Ukraine: A Step Toward Sustainability
Ukraine
The global financial and economic crisis has also demonstrated the resilience of alternative financial institutions such as cooperative.
Uganda Biogas Project Wins “Best Practice” Award
Uganda
Heifer’s Uganda biogas project eases the workload of rural women and improves their health by providing a safe, renewable and cheap source of fuel.
Cow Close-Up
Romania
Salajan Maria Marius, 75, tends to Mendruta, a Romanian Spotted Cow her son, Salajan Marius, received through Heifer, on their family farm in the village of Giurtelecul Simleului, Romania.
Disaster Reduction and Gender in the Philippines
Philippines
The rural poor suffer greatly from disasters of all kinds every year.
Women’s Empowerment is Key to Turning Oppression Into Opportunity
Nepal
At Heifer International we believe there is no development strategy more beneficial to society than the one that involves women as central players, and at the same time engages men to encourage a more accepting view of women’s participation.
Cows in Malawi are a Daughter’s Piggy Bank
Malawi
Baptista and Belia Mzukani have big plans for their daughter, Esnart.
International Day of the Girl Child: Little Soldier Girl
Malawi
October 11th is the United Nations International Day of the Girl Child, a time to recognize the challenges girls in many developing countries face and to find ways to help them reach their potential.
Technology, Partnerships and Women Will Advance African Dairy Industry
Kenya
Elizabeth Bintliff, Vice President for Heifer’s Africa Program, presented a keynote address at the April 2012 8th African Dairy Conference and Exhibition held by the East and Southern Africa Dairy Association.
Heifer Works with Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation to Double Farmer Income
Kenya
One of Heifer International’s biggest projects is EADD – the East Africa Dairy Development project.