Heifer International Gives Impoverished Families New Hope
By Robert Doherty
THE ERICKSON TRIBUNE
Heifer International is a nonprofit organization working to end world hunger by giving cows, goats, and other incomeproducing livestock to impoverished families around the world.
Recipients are trained in animal care and environmentally sound agricultural practices so they can lift themselves out of poverty and become self-reliant.
The milk, eggs, wool, meat, and draft power that these animals provide results in better nutrition, money for education, better housing, health care, and an opportunity for small business entrepreneurship.
Linden Ponds Gets Involved
“Each year the Resident Life Team at Linden Ponds chooses a charity project to participate in. It was our pleasure to share with everyone that this year we chose Heifer International,” says Christian Beukman, pastoral ministries manager at Linden Ponds. “And as a result of our fundraising we raised $345.00 which will be matched by our parent company, Erickson, and is more than enough to buy a cow.”
How It Works
Heifer partners with community groups that form a development plan with specific goals. Partners learn how to care for animals and grow crops in ways that can be sustained for future generations. Heifer provides expertise in animal health, water quality, gender equity, the environment, and community development.
Passing On the Gift
Recipients agree to share offspring of their animals with others in need through a requirement Heifer calls “Passing on the Gift.” It multiplies the benefits of every donated animal while making recipients equal partners with Heifer in the fight against hunger and poverty.
Impact