31 Before 31

I think it was 2 years ago that I came across Heifer International. People were posting about their favorite charities on the diary site that I use, and someone mentioned it. Once I visited the site I really fell in love with the project. I hope you’ll read on to find out a little about my favorite charity.

Heifer has been around for more than 65 years educating and working to end world hunger and poverty. Their approach is something I’m sure you’ve heard before; Give a man a fish, and he eats for a day, teach a man to fish and he eats for a lifetime. A person is given an animal and training, with the understanding that when that animal produces offspring, the first born is to be given to another member of the community. They then also share their training with that member so that he or she can then pass on their gift, in continuing fashion. That is the whole program in very simple terms, but there is so much more to it when you really take a look around the website.

I love that one of the cornerstones to Heifer’s mission is improving the environment. That is always something that is important to me, though I’m not a huge activist.

Typically I gift at Christmas, and it’s usually something like a flock of geese, or chickens. However, I want to do more. It’s always been my desire to gift a whole heifer, but after looking through the gift book, I decided I wanted to up the ante and gift the whole Joy to the World donation.

The Joy To The World collection includes two sheep, four goats, a heifer and two llamas. These animals mean new hope in the lives of the hardworking poor families who receive them. Cow and goats’ milk is full of nutrients and your animals will provide a family with daily provisions of vitamin-rich milk.

I’m not sure quite yet what I’m going to do to raise the funds. I am thinking of hosting an event in cooperation with a local restaurant or something. We’ll see what I can work out. However, the first thing I’m going to do is add the link to my donation page, in case any of you feel touched to give.

HERE IS MY TEAM PAGE

If you are touched by the Heifer’s mission and feel compelled to help, there are two ways you can do it. You can donate on the team page -OR- you can join my team and collect donations yourself to contribute to the cause. I appreciate any support you can give!

Thanks!

-Autumn