From the Field: Expertise Ensures Project Sustainability

By Lauren Bucher

October 3, 2019

Last Updated: January 22, 2013

This weekly post shines a light on a handful of stories from Heifer.org’s “From the Field” section. Expertise

The sustainability of Heifer International's projects rely on expertise. Project participants, partner organizations, local authorities and veterinarians provide that expertise, ensuring the work's long-term impact.

Pigs are the main livestock in Mountain Province in the Philippines. Between original and pass on families, 1,000 families have been affected by Heifer's swine projects. Due to the number of people who have worked with Heifer in the area, the possibility of inbreeding is high, which results in low-quality piglets. Heifer Philippines staff in response to this threat contacted the Department of Agriculture-Cordillera Administrative Region (DA-CAR) regional office to request a new bloodline. Dr. Anthony Bantog, regional chief of the Livestock Division and also a member of Heifer Philippines Country Program Advisory Committee, facilitated the process. Five Community Animal Health Workers (CAHWs) received new boars and will receive training and artificial insemination (AI) equipment. The CAHWs have a deeper understanding of AI practices and bloodlines. They will lend their new-found expertise to others in their communities, guaranteeing the swine breeding will successfully continue.

Expertise

Heifer collaborates with experienced partner organizations in its projects. Heifer Nepal and the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), working together for the third time, are rehabilitating families affected by conflict. During the 10 years of civil unrest between the then Maoist Rebels and the government, many people disappeared. The livelihoods of these families were disrupted when the bread-winning relation went missing. Heifer's development model and ICRC's Psychosocial Support Framework combine to intervene and support the Nepalese as they manage their grief while simultaneously helping them improve their livelihoods. The prowess of the two organizations formed the groundwork for the favorable, long-lasting outcome of this intervention.

The Vayots Dzor region of Armenia remains a tourist attraction, noted for the landscape's beauty and the quality of the honey produced there. Students have joined Heifer Armenia's beekeeping project and are using the generated income to pay for their university educations. Beekeeping is a labor-intensive process; the bees require specific conditions to thrive. Lilit Khachatryan, an active project participant and fourth-year student at Giteliq University, attends all Heifer's training on beekeeping practices. Knowledge and experience are necessary for prosperous hives. She has learned from her father, an experience beekeeper, the technicalities of beekeeping. By utilizing her father's expertise and Heifer's training, Lilit has become a successful beekeeper.

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