Saving Our FUTURE DAVID SUZUKI ON SUSTAINABILITY

MAY/JUNE 2004 YOU’VE GOT THE POWER MUSLIM FRANCES MOORE LAPPÉ FARMERS and JEFFREY PERKINS FIND A HOME HORIZONS|SUSTAINING THE GENERATIONS

Dear ast fall I traveled to Kenya and one heifer. Juma and his family now own glimpsed the future—or at least two mature cows and two heifers. Friends … the future as it could be. Later, I met with the entire village of My journey took me to Kenya’s Oyugis, and a fuller picture of the families’ By Jo Luck LRachuonyo district to visit two families hit heartbreak—and courage—came to light. President and CEO hard by the loss of loved ones in Africa’s With much of an entire generation dead or devastating AIDS pandemic. These families dying of AIDS, large households are often had every reason for bitterness and despair. headed by teen-agers, or by grandmothers Yet, through smiles, words and sometimes struggling to support as many as a dozen tears, they expressed gratitude, pride and children. hope for the future. They are part of the Yet these rural Kenyans chose not to Future for AIDS Orphans project, a group dwell on their suffering. Some farmers of 200 families and 1,470 orphans given expressed deep gratitude to Heifer sim- dairy cows, oxen and plows by Heifer ply because they now know that when they International. die their children will have assets to help Albert Oyoo, a member of the group, lives ensure their own livelihoods. These rural with five other orphans on a six-acre farm We at Hei fer f requent ly t a lk about “Pa s sing left by their parents. The orphan farmers on the Gift,” and we forget sometimes that Kenyans chose have tripled their maize harvest through not all our supporters know exactly what not to dwell on the gift from Heifer of oxen, a plow, and that means. Passing on the Gift is one of 12 their suffering, training. But the farmers didn’t stop there. principles that inform all that Heifer does Albert “passes on the gift” to other orphan to end hunger and protect the earth. When speaking instead families, sharing food and ploughing their a Heifer family or community receives an of hope for their land. animal, they must agree to pass on one children. At another farm, I met Juma. He supports of the animal’s offspring to another in 21 members of his extended family. All of need. I like to think of this ripple effect as them are orphans who watched in agony as “sustainability through the ages.” My family members succumbed, one by one, to inspiring visit to Kenya let me see AIDS. Juma received two dairy cows from Passing on the Gift as sustainabil- Heifer International. The cows ity through generations, allowing have calved twice, and the fam- children to achieve self- ily has already passed on sufficiency even though their parents may not live to see it. In this issue of World Ark, the highly respected scientist Dr. David Suzuki writes of what we must do to achieve “a sustainable and just future for humanity.” If people who have endured so much, like the brave and hopeful people I met in Kenya, can still give to others, what can the rest of us give to save our shared future? Mississippi Nepal

Guatemala Philippines Ecuador Kenya PREVIEWWe are all … God’s children. Race, creed or Tanzania WORLD ARK MAY/JUNE 2004 “color, we learn from each other. Heifer training and teaching has brought us all together in our community.”—project participant Irma Barnes 20

6 34 Saving Our Future 6 A Golden Anniversary in By David Suzuki the Philippines 37 Humans have “pushed the resources and the natural services By J. Rex Enoch of the Earth to their limits,” writes world-renowned scientist Study Tour participants take part in Heifer Philippines’ David Suzuki. So is this the end? It doesn’t have to be. celebration of fi ve decades of good work. Let It Be: Muslim Community Endless Giving: Building an Makes Friends in Mississippi 20 Endowment for the Future 42 By Darcy Kiefel By Janet K. Ginn After the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, neighbors and law The president of Heifer International Foundation explains how enforcement offi cials offered words of comfort and endowments allow you to preserve your legacy of values by peace to members of the New Medina community. making an “endless gift” to Heifer’s humanitarian mission.

Women in the Rain 27 Cover photo courtesy of the David Suzuki Foundation By Frances Moore Lappé and Jeffrey Perkins In an excerpt from their new book, You Have the Power, DEPARTMENTS Lappé and Perkins urge us to see our fear as motivation Letters/Feedback From Our Readers to make positive changes in ourselves and in the world. 2 For the Record Heifer gets a Gold Star from Forbes 4 Heifer Spirit Actress Patricia Heaton loves Heifer 14 “I Have a Name”: Women in Calendar of Events 18 Nepal Find Their Voice 34 Travel With a Purpose 19 By James De Vries Mixed Media Reviews A Heifer project has more than tripled the women’s income 32 and empowered them to be full citizens in a traditionally Heifer Bulletin Heifer breaks ground for building 40 male-dominated culture. Refl ection “Love Overfl owing” by Elissa Ely 44 www.heifer.org May/June 2004 | WORLD ARK 1 LETTERS|FEEDBACK FROM OUR READERS

A Living Gift others. ... And they thought Muslims who look to Abra- thirst for knowledge about My brother-in-law, Thom- of Heifer! ham and Sarah as their and respectful interaction as H. Wedaman Jr. of Kan- As a matter of fact, they spiritual ancestors. with “others.” We also need sas City, Mo., passed away sent “trees” to all my late Beckmann did not en- to thirst for and witness to recently. While I was with brother-in-law’s caregivers tirely omit Muslims from his the inclusion of all people him during his last hours, —including those from commentary—even th o ugh as “heirs of God’s prom- I had an opportunity to vis- Research Medical Center, he never used the word. ises”—even folks whom we it with the oncology nurses those at M.D. Anderson Beckmann did vaguely men- think might not qualify as on call at the Cancer Insti- Cancer Center in Houston, tion the tragedy of Sept. 11, “people of promise.” tute at Research Medical and each of his medical 2001, that is etched into Given our human history Center in Kansas City. They team members in Kansas the national psyche as the of bloody disagreement on asked where I lived. After I City. work of Muslim terrorists. who qualifi es for God’s told them that I was from God blesses us all. Beckmann’s vague men- grace, I think that 9/11 high- Little Rock, they asked if I Thank you all for Heifer and tion, however, left open the lights more than ever our knew anything of Heifer In- her gifts. wide range of connotations, duty as “keepers of God’s ternational. Alfred L. Williams interpreta tions and respons- promise to all people for a It seems that my sister, Little Rock es that confl ate “Muslim” just and peaceful world” to Ann W. Wedaman, and Tom E-mail and “terrorist” and thus give others the benefi t of had made a gift of an Ark results in violent attitudes the doubt as we call them to the nurses in oncology and actions toward Muslim brother and sister. at Christmas. The nurses people. David Clanaugh were moved by this gift. I Promises to Keep Beckmann missed an op- Duluth, Minn. believe this was because I enjoy receiving World portunity of inclusive grace E-mail that even though Tom was Ark magazine, but I found because he could have spe- in the last stage of life on distressing the commentary cifi cally countered the ten- earth, he and Ann were by Rev. David Beckmann dency toward prejudice and thinking of ways in the Winter 2003 violence toward Muslims. The Author Responds to provide issue [“A Time of Pro- Beckmann’s column had Indeed, Muslims are life for mise”]. What dis- a very sincere tone, yet sin- people of the promise, tressed me was cerity is insuffi cient to bring and I should have included Beckmann’s forth true justice and peace. Muslims in my article. In omis sion of We can scurry right and fact, Bread for the World 1.2 billion left to address hunger and has worked hard to develop “people of poverty issues, yet if our un- collaborative relationships promise” derlying framework doesn’t with Muslim groups, notably from his recognize and address the the Islamic Society of North dis cus sion dynamics of injustice and America. of hunger, po- violence, we will be left with Rev. David Beckmann verty, justice a world full of well-fed and President of Bread and peace. I am over-entitled people doing for the World speaking of the battle among themselves. E-mail 1.2 billion How can we work for justice and peace as we address the symptoms of Survey Says … hunger and poverty? I be- I just fi nished reading lieve that we need a humble the story on Page 3 of the

Rev. David Beckmann 2 May/June 2004 | WORLD ARK www.heifer.org The money I give to “purchase” and give. We to your organization, wish to give these people PRESIDENT/CEO and other organi- an economic chance, not Jo Luck zations, is given promulgate/proselytize any because you (and particular ideology, nor do they) don’t take we wish Heifer to do it on political positions. our behalf. 1015 Louisiana St. Since you are a Richard and Karen Johnson Little Rock, AR/USA 72202 charitable institu- McPherson, Kan. E-mail: [email protected] tion, I don’t feel E-mail it is right for you PUBLISHER to take positions. Tom Peterson I feel it would World Ark welcomes comment COMMUNICATIONS detract from the from readers. Heifer Interna- DIRECTOR wide stance you tional reserves the right to edit Michael Haddigan are now able to letters to the editor for clar- Winter 2003 World Ark take. ity, grammatical errors, spell- EDITOR [“Reader’s Survey: Stories We use you to facilitate ing and space. Please include Jan Cottingham of Self-Reliance Top the being able to give directly a telephone number or e-mail ASSOCIATE EDITOR Chart”] and felt an urgent to a person or persons the address so we can confi rm your Scott Morris need to support your view of gift of chicks, ducks, oxen identity. Our address is in the GRAPHIC DESIGN the importance of the maga- or whatever animal we wish box at right. Pooi Yin Chong zine as a vessel for helping people “Pass on the Gift.” PRODUCTION MANAGER If it were not for your Marleen New magazine … being left at my offi ce building and me Do you think that you Heifer International noticing it and picking it up a publishes World Ark couple of years ago, I would & as an individual can Q A bimonthly for donors and never know of the work you have a meaningful friends. Heifer has helped do. In each issue we millions of impoverished impact on saving and My family dearly ap- pose a question families worldwide become preciates my donations in preserving the earth’s more self-reliant through the or two related to gift of livestock and training their honor to Heifer, and I Heifer’s goals of resources? in their care. A non profit now buy nothing but Green ending hunger organization rooted in the Mountain Coffee because and saving Yes No Christian tradition, Heifer of [that company] helping works for the dignity and you also. the earth. well-being of all people. Thank you for your ma- gazine. I truly enjoy the up- Send your answers, plus Heifer is a member of InterAction. lifting stories I read in it and any additional comments Federal employees may designate gifts I always read it from cover to the Combined Federal Campaign by you wish to make, to the writing in #0315. Heifer International to cover. address in the box at right. is a 501 (c) (3) nonprofit organization Peggie Storms and gifts to Heifer are tax deductible and are used as designated until Portland, Ore. current needs of those projects are E-mail met. Further gifts are applied to similar projects so that gifts begin helping people immediately. www.heifer.org May/June 2004 | WORLD ARK 3 FOR THE RECORD By the Putting Down Roots Numbers The 12 percent of the world’s population that lives in North America and Western Europe accounts for 60 percent of private Jatropha curcas, widespread in Tanzania, is an consumption unlikely hero. Save for a few splashy fl owers, the woody shrub isn’t much to look at, and it tastes spending, while bad. But Jatropha is hardy and long-lived, and the 33 percent that since animals won’t eat it, the plant has been lives in South Asia useful for years as a natural barrier around crops. Recently, thanks to the generous support of and sub-Saharan the McKnight Foundation, Jatropha has been Africa accounts for able to do a bit more. With a four-year grant from only 3.2 percent. the McKnight Foundation, hundreds of women in Heifer Gets a Arusha, Tanzania, have been cultivating Jatropha Star and exploring the commercial possibilities of its If you want to contribute to a charity that’s byproducts. among the nation’s best in commitment, The seeds produce viscous oil that has fundraising effi ciency and donor dependency, antiseptic properties and can be used for soap, Forbes 2004 Investment Guide says you’ll be hard- fuel and cosmetics. The residue left when the pressed to fi nd a worthier one than Heifer seeds are pressed also has potential as a fuel International. source. Companies have expressed interest in This annual special edition of Forbes buying seed for oil processing on a large scale, magazine surveys 200 nonprofi ts and rates them Burning and the women have begun producing samples of on how effi ciently they collect and distribute a milky, gentle soap for face and hands. charity. But a new feature this year, a Gold-Star “The soap angle has generated the most List of 10 charities Forbes considers worthy of interest,” said Heifer’s Africa Program Director your attention, puts Heifer right at the top. Up Barry Colley, “but there are many other angles. The survey calculates three key effi ciency The byproducts can be converted into electricity ratios, with higher numbers indicating “a better The United States, and gas for cooking. The oil can treat skin disease bang for the donor’s buck.” with less than 5 in cattle, and even be turned into diesel fuel.” Charitable commitment indicates how much percent of the world’s The Jatropha initiative has provided income— of total expenses went for the stated charitable population, uses and autonomy—for women in an area where purpose, excluding management, overhead and about a quarter of its opportunities are scarce. Buoyed by the success, Colley is optimistic fundraising. Fundraising effi ciency measures fossil fuel resources— the share of gifts after subtracting fundraising about the initiative’s future. “The project has 25 percent of coal, 26 expenses. Donor dependency is the operating given these women a chance to begin thinking percent of oil and 27 shortfall (outlays minus non-gift income) about micro-enterprises and other commercial as a percentage of gifts. In all areas, Heifer percent of the world’s ventures,” he said. “I’ll tell you, we could grow surpassed the average numbers garnered by natural gas. Jatropha all over southeastern Africa—probably the 200 nonprofi ts surveyed. all over Africa.”

4 May/June 2004 | WORLD ARK www.heifer.orgwww.heifer.o Briefi ng Congress In May, Heifer staff and partners from around the world are meeting in Washington, D.C. With the help of outside experts, Heifer will brief members of Congress and their staff on the critical role that livestock plays in alleviating poverty and improving nutri- tion, sustainability and economic growth. America’s Second Harvest will At the briefi ng May 13, Heifer plans to ask Congress to increase funding for call communities together June livestock development for small farmers. Heifer has invited all U.S. se na tors and 3 to fi ght hunger in the United representatives to the briefi ng, informing them of the time and place, and the entire States. The third annual National Arkansas congressional delegation supports the meeting, but Heifer also is asking our Hunger Awareness Day will be donors to encourage their members of Congress to attend. observed by the organization’s Please consider calling, e-mailing or writing your senators and representatives and more than 200 food banks and urging them to attend or send a staff member. affi liated programs. Some of the events will include potluck fund-raisers, said Susan Hofer, Wild Oats Market Inc. has started putting food communications ma nager for Break from the grocery chain’s delicatessens into fully Second Harvest. It bio degradable containers made from corn. For a list of local events, as Down The Boulder, Colo.-based Wild Oats says it’s the fi rst well as for alternative methods North American grocery store to use the corn-based of participating in the campaign resin called NatureWorks™ PLA. to end hunger in America, go to Thrown into the compost pile, the containers www.hungerday.org. “fully degrade into water, carbon dioxide and organic National Hunger Awareness material,” the company says. Wild Oats is using the Day was created in early 2002, containers, which look like plastic, in stores in the when a continuing downturn in the Northwest, Colorado and Tennessee and plans to economy, massive layoffs and the introduce them into all 77 of its locations. Sept. 11 terrorist attacks had con- The containers carry some disadvantages. They can’t tributed to a signifi cant increase be used to store hot foods because they’ll melt and they in the number of Americans unable may produce reactions in people allergic to corn. to feed their families, according to Second Harvest’s website. Bake Sale Bonanza

Want to join the fi ght against hunger? Consider with a poster, tips, recipes and stickers. holding a bake sale. The Great American Bake SOS also coordinates Taste of the Nation, Sale, underway now through July 25, raised a series of food and wine-tastings, seated more than $1 million in 2003 to end child dinners and brunches that take place in 70 hunger in America. More than 375,000 people cities across the nation. Since 1988, Taste baked, sold or bought during last year’s event, of the Nation events have raised more than according to Share Our Strength (SOS), the $50 million, supporting 450 groups working coordinating organization. to end hunger and poverty, including Heifer You can register to take part this year at International. www.greatamericanbakesale.org or by calling All told, SOS has distributed more than $74 (800) 761-4227. You’ll receive a bake sale kit million to anti-hunger groups in its 20 years. www.heifer.org May/June 2004 | WORLD ARK 5 Saving Our

Lonely trees stand guard before the Chimborazo volcano in Ecuador, a country hard hit by environmental degradation.

6 May/June 2004 | WORLD ARK www.heifer.org PHOTO COURTESY OF THE DAVID SUZUKI FOUNDATION SUZUKI DAVID THE OF COURTESY PHOTO

Humans have “pushed the resources and the natural Future services of the Earth to their By David Suzuki limits,” writes world- renowned scientist David Suzuki. So is this the end? It doesn’t have to be. Suzuki says we have many of the solutions; we’re just not using them. “By becoming smarter and more effi cient in the way we use

PHOTO BY DARCY KIEFEL/HEIFER INTERNATIONAL KIEFEL/HEIFER DARCY BY PHOTO resources, we will actually improve our quality of life. In other words, sustainability means doing things better, not doing without.”

www.heifer.org May/June 2004 | WORLD ARK 7 ecently, I was having a discus- but they all still come from one place—the sion with my neighbor about Earth. The oil, coal and gas that heat our the proliferation of sport homes, power our vehicles and industries, utility vehicles on the streets of and provide the electricity for our lights all The oil, coal and gas ourR city, and I mentioned that the trend was come from nature. It took millions of years totally unsustainable. He gave me a funny for these fossil fuels to form, and once we that heat our homes, look and asked what I meant. use them up, they are gone for good. power our vehicles “Well,” I said. “We can’t just keep Energy isn’t the only resource we depend and industries, making larger and larger vehicles that burn on nature to provide. We also depend on more and more gasoline. There are only so nature’s services to clean our air and water, and provide the many resources in the world. There’s only keep our soils fertile and our climate stable. electricity for so much land we can pave over and so much We depend on nature to absorb our wastes our lights and air we can fi ll with our tailpipe emissions.” and provide food, medicines, recreation He cocked his head to one side. “Is that and inspiration. We depend on nature for appliances all come really such a big deal?” he asked. our health, well-being and quality of life. from nature. It took Yes it is, actually—although for people In fact, humans are utterly dependent in the developed world, like my neighbor, on nature, but we take it for granted. Many millions of years for it can be diffi cult to understand. Those of people, like my neighbor, love to do things these fossil fuels to us who are lucky enough to live in North outdoors and greatly value the aesthetic and form, and once we American cities often don’t think about the recreational pleasures nature provides. At role that nature plays in our lives. We don’t the same time, they still assume the world is use them up, they have to. We live in built-up environments. a big place that has always, and will always, are gone for good. We buy our food from grocery stores and provide for us. restaurants. We fl ick a switch and the lights go on. We turn on the faucet and clean A Dangerous Assumption water comes out. hat’s a dangerous, and incorrect, All these resources that we take for Tassumption. While the world may granted have to come from somewhere. sometimes seem very big, it is actually quite Human ingenuity has helped harness them, small. Indeed, our planet is but a tiny oasis

8 May/June 2004 | WORLD ARK www.heifer.org PHOTOS BY DARCY KIEFEL/ sition of our atmosphere (a notion that HEIFER INTERNATIONAL would have seemed laughable a century Far left: Deforestation ago) with heat-trapping gases like carbon has played havoc with the dioxide from our industries and vehicles. environment in Ecuador, The global scientifi c consensus is that this where Heifer International increase of greenhouse gases is gradually works to encourage sustainable agriculture. changing the world’s climate, which will have unknown and potentially devastating Above: In the Philippines, consequences. Heifer has trained project We’ve also altered the water cycle by partners to monitor the building huge dams and reservoirs, drain- water of the Manupali ing aquifers to irrigate our crops and River watershed siphoning water for our industries and in Lantapan. of life in the cold desert of space. homes. Some 60 percent of the world’s And now that there are more than 6 major river basins have been dramatical- billion of us, we cannot afford to simply ly altered, causing tremendous damage to

We’ve altered the water cycle by building huge dams and reservoirs, draining aquifers to irrigate our crops and siphoning water for our industries and homes. Some 60 percent of the world’s major river basins have been dramatically altered, causing tremendous damage to coastal ecosystems and fisheries. assume that the planet will continue to ab- coastal ecosystems and fi sheries. Three of sorb everything we throw at it. Humans are the world’s great rivers—the Yellow, the by far the most ubiquitous large mammal on Amu Darya and the Colorado—no longer Earth and the most powerful species ever to even reach the sea in dry seasons. evolve over 3 billion years. How we decide to And we’ve added vast quantities of use that power will dictate our future. human-made chemicals to the environment Right now, we are not using our power that don’t easily break down. As a result, wisely. In 200 years of industrialization, some persistent pollutants like DDT, diox- we’ve completely changed the face of the in and PCBs can be found in even the most Earth. We’ve actually altered the compo- remote, seemingly pristine places on Earth. www.heifer.org May/June 2004 | WORLD ARK 9 These chemicals build up in the food chain improving our quality of life somehow and threaten the safety of our food supply. required degrading the environment. Today, we know that you can only push “The Price of Progress” nature so far. In just the last few decades or a very long time, we tried our best we’ve witnessed the collapse of fi sh stocks Fto ignore these growing problems, around the world, a “hole” in the Earth’s assuming that the world could continue to protective ozone layer, global warming, provide an inexhaustible supply of resourc- water scarcity, desertifi cation, the spread If we want future generations to have the opportunities that we have had, we have to change. We are consuming too much, too fast— especially in developed nations.

es and absorb ever-increasing amounts of of invasive species, the destruction of our wastes. I grew up in the 1950s, and coral reefs, loss of tropical forests, and the whenever fertile farmland was paved over continued extinction of species on a scale with roads and subdivisions, or wetlands not seen since the last days of the dinosaurs. were fi lled in to build shopping malls, I was We’ve pushed the resources and the natural told “that’s the price of progress,” as though services of the Earth to their limits.

The Bottom Line

of those affected by natural disasters and two-thirds Today’s atmosphere contains of the people killed by them over the past decade live 32 percent more carbon dioxide 88%in the world’s least developed nations. than it did a century ago.

1.2 billion people struggle Only 20 percent of the world’s population lives to survive on $1 or less in developed countries, yet these countries a day while nearly 3 consume 80 percent of the world’s billion people eke resources and produce 80 percent of out an existence on the world’s wastes and pollutants. $2 or less a day.

10 May/June 2004 | WORLD ARK www.heifer.org If we want future generations to have Internet, DVD players, powerful personal David Suzuki’s the opportunities that we have had, we have computers and many other things we take Nature Challenge to change. We are consuming too much, for granted today. too fast—especially in developed nations. Another source of air pollution that 10 According to University of British Columbia many people don’t even consider is elec- simple things you professor Bill Rees, if everyone in the world tricity. Electricity seems clean, but much can do to protect the used the same amount of resources as we of it is generated using fossil fuels like coal environment: do in North America, it would require the and natural gas. These power plants greatly resources of four or fi ve more Earths! The contribute to smog and global warming. path we are currently on is clearly unsus- To reduce these problems, we should be 1 Reduce home energy use by 10 percent. tainable. Our planet simply isn’t big enough reducing our use of electrical power. Yet to provide the resources for, and absorb the many of our appliances and lighting sourc- 2 Choose an energy- wastes of, 6 billion people living as we do in es are terribly wasteful. Rather than design effi cient home and North America. better light bulbs and encourage consum- appliances. ers to switch, the standard North American Problem? Complacency answer to increasing electrical demand has 3 Replace dangerous oes this mean that to become a sustain- been to build more power plants. This strat- pesticides with Dable society North Americans will have egy puts strain on the electricity grid, which alternatives. to accept a lower standard of living and can cause blackouts like the one witnessed 4 Eat meat-free meals reduced quality of life? No, not at all. last summer in New York and Toronto. one day a week. Why? Well, the reason North Americans To become a sustainable society, we must (and many others in the developed world) stop wasting our resources. That means 5 Buy locally grown consume so many resources is not because letting innovation drive effi ciency. It means and produced food. it is necessary to do so to have a high qual- encouraging the switch to renewable Choose a fuel- ity of life, but because we have become energy resources, like wind and solar 6 effi cient vehicle. complacent. We live in a land of plenty, so we power, that don’t pollute our air or change assume “there’s plenty more where that our climate. It means encouraging public 7 Walk, bike, carpool came from.” As a result, we have become transportation and better fuel effi ciency. It or use public transit. very wasteful. means designing our cities better and using You can see our waste in the air on a the best possible agricultural practices. By 8 Choose a home close sunny day in any big city—smog. Smog is becoming smarter and more effi cient in to work or school. waste. It is a byproduct of poorly designed, the way we use resources, we will actually 9 Support car-free ineffi cient internal combustion engines. improve our quality of life. In other words, alternatives. We may consider ourselves innovators, but sustainability means doing things better, the fuel effi ciency of the 2004 fl eet of new not doing without. 10 Learn more and North American cars is actually the same as By learning to do things better, we can share with others. it was back in 1980—before cell phones, the improve our economies and our health,

The standard THE FUEL Fuel effi ciency has been going backwards incandescent light EFFICIENCY OF in recent years, thanks largely to the proliferation of heavy, ineffi cient vehicles bulb turns just THE 2004 FLEET like SUVs. 10 percent of the OF NEW NORTH electricity it uses AMERICAN CARS into light; the IS ACTUALLY THE other 90 percent SAME AS IT WAS is wasted as heat. BACK IN 1980. www.heifer.org May/June 2004 | WORLD ARK 11 but perhaps more important, we can also improve the lives of the world’s poorest people. According to the World Bank and the United Nations, 1.2 billion people struggle to survive on $1 or less a day while nearly 3 billion people eke out an existence on $2 or less a day. These people are living on the edge. They need our help, now more than ever.

Overuse Comes at a Cost hose of us lucky enough to be living in developed Tcountries have benefi ted greatly from unchecked industrial growth and fossil fuel consumption. We’ve used more than our fair share of the world’s resources to build a high standard of living and extensive government and public infrastructures. But our overuse of the world’s resources has not come without a price. Our actions are changing our climate, and this poses a very real threat, perhaps the biggest threat humanity will face this century. Unfortunately, developing nations will be least able to adapt to this changing world. Already, these nations bear the brunt of natural disasters. Such disasters are already on the increase, and scientists tell us that extreme weather events are expected to become much worse as climate change progresses. For humanity to chart a course to a sustainable future, we must address these inequities. To ignore them will condemn a good portion of the world’s people to a continued cycle of poverty, which breeds unrest, con- tempt and violence. This will further degrade local ecosystems and cause political instability. No single country can achieve sustainability in such a world. Sustainability: The Rather, a sustainable and just future for humanity requires countries to work together to alleviate pover- Heart of Heifer ty, improve sanitation, medical care and education, and promote the transfer of locally appropriate, effi cient By Scott Morris Heifer owes its existence to WORLD ARK the concept of sustainability. As technologies that will benefi t developing nations. ASSOCIATE EDITOR With an estimated population of 9 billion on Earth a relief worker in the Spanish by 2050, time is running out for humanity to develop Civil War, Indiana farmer Dan West sustainable practices that will enable society to thrive, was forced to decide who would while protecting the natural systems on which we receive limited milk rations and ultimately depend. It is not an impossible task, but it will who wouldn’t—who would live and take a new vision of the future and a concerted global who would die. Relief aid would effort from our leaders, our neighbors and ourselves. never be enough. When he returned to the Unit- Dr. David Suzuki is a scientist, broadcaster, author and chair ed States, West established the of the David Suzuki Foundation. He is professor emeritus of organization that would eventually Sustainable Development Research at the University of British become Heifer International—a Columbia, an offi cer of the Order of Canada and a recipient global nonprofi t dedicated to end- of UNESCO’s Kalinga Prize for science. For more information, ing hunger permanently by provid- visit the David Suzuki Foundation at www.davidsuzuki.org.

12 May/June 2004 | WORLD ARK www.heifer.org the appropriate gift animal,” Hoey says. “In communities Mace says. “Maybe the where they survive crop to group can’t support cows, crop, farmers are reluctant so we start with chickens or to change traditional ap- goats, which generate food proaches, in cluding slash and income. Later, once and-burn practices that the group has had some damage the environment.” success, it might be ready When Heifer project for a cow.” partners begin to succeed, Project partners must however, other farmers show that they can care notice. Interest in the new for the gift animal before it techniques spreads from

Left: Heifer teaches farmers in is delivered. That means village to village, Hoey says, the Philippines how to terrace niques, including terracing, they must demonstrate allowing Heifer’s work to their land to prevent soil erosion. composting and zero graz- access to adequate fodder, continue long after funding Top: In Uganda, the gift of goats ing (enclosing livestock in water and veterinary care. for the original project has helps provide villagers with a a shaded area and carry- Because veterinarians may ended. sustainable livelihood. ing fodder and water to the be unavailable in remote As partners develop animals instead of letting areas, Heifer gives animals stable sources of food and ing families with livestock them wander in the open that are adapted to local income, they are more likely and training that would allow where they are more likely to con ditions and resistant to to be able to send their chil- them to feed themselves. catch diseases or damage local diseases. dren to school, which means Sustainability and Self- the environment). Project partners also are subsequent generations will reliance, one of Heifer’s 12 Sustainable practices required to attend training live better lives—another Cornerstones (the principles are indispensable to Heif- sessions in livestock man- benefi t of sustainability. that guide our work), is er’s work because project agement and sustainable A third Cornerstone— essential to the organiza- partners typically own little agriculture, says Jim Hoey, Passing on the Gift—also tion’s success. Heifer can except a patch of land, Heifer’s environmental strat- promotes sustainability by fund a project only for a says Noel Mace, program egies director. Crop rotation requiring Heifer recipients limited time, so the families assistant for agroecology and using manure to restore to donate their animals’ fi rst Heifer works with must plan and animal well-being. nutrients to the soil often offspring. An added benefi t to support themselves. To “People who exhaust are central to that training. of this requirement is that do so, they need to protect their land often end up living A second Heifer Corner- it gives group members their land, water and other in extreme poverty in large stone—Gender and Fam- a vested interest in their natural resources as well as cities,” Mace says. These ily Focus—ensures that neighbors’ success, beca use their livestock. people frequently settle in women and children receive the second round of gift “Heifer understands that squatter camps where they training alongside men, animals depends on the if we are going to have a can’t grow food and are sub- Hoey says. That allows the well-being of the fi rst. lasting impact on world hun- ject to violence, inadequate project to continue even if Sustainability, then, de- ger, everything we do must sanitation and disease. the men have to leave home pends on considering the be sustainable,” says Jo “All Heifer projects are to fi nd other work. needs of future generations Luck, Heifer’s president and designed so that they are Another advantage of while choosing the best so- CEO. “That is, the means for environmentally and fi nan- inclusive training, Hoey says, lutions to today’s problems. producing food and income cially sustainable,” he says. is that it enables a wider “Gender equity, animal well- must renew the environment When Heifer enters a group to “buy into” the chang- being, environmental and and not deplete it.” community, it fi rst helps es Heifer recommends. economic viability—all of To achieve this criti- residents assess their as- “Buy-in is vital, especial- these things are tied togeth- cal goal, Heifer teaches a sets as well as their needs. ly when we’re asking project er in the fi eld,” Hoey says. variety of environmentally “Heifer, working with our partners to change age- “This holistic approach is friendly agriculture tech- project partners, chooses old, traditional practices,” what makes Heifer work.” www.heifer.org May/June 2004 | WORLD ARK 13 THE HEIFER SPIRIT|GIVING RESOURCES, GIVING SELF

Patricia Heaton Loves Heifer By Ray White and Chris Talbott HEIFER PUBLIC INFORMATION

K, some people do love Ray- wood,” that is an autobiographical “During the holidays I have a mond—but everybody loves account of her climb from Cleveland lot of people to buy for—agents, OPatricia Heaton. She is sportswriter’s daughter to combining managers, accountants. We all get famous for her comedic role as motherhood and sitcom stardom. so many gifts in this industry, we “Everybody Loves” Raymond’s long- And Patricia Heaton loves Heif- have everything, and I thought this suffering spouse and for the fact er. She posed for Heifer’s holiday would be something they would that she combines stardom and catalog with four baby goats and a appreciate.” motherhood in such a terrifi c way. cow to show her support. “Entertain- It feels good to make a contribu- She and husband David Hunt ment Tonight” spo t lighted Heaton— tion in someone’s name instead of are parents of four sons—Sam, and the baby goats—in a segment conventional gift-giving, she said. John, Joe and Dan. She wrote a before the holidays, giving Heifer “When you give a contribution as bestseller, “Motherhood & Holly- national media exposure. a gift to someone, they also have a During the pho- sense of having a good feeling that to shoot in Santa something in a faraway land is being Monica, Calif., she done in their name.” spoke about why The reaction from fri ends and she was drawn to co-workers when she has given Heifer the fi rst time Heifer gifts has been positive. PHOTO BY HILLEVI BY PHOTO LOVEN she heard about the Everybody loves Heifer gifts. organization while “I think people are surprised visiting a Christmas and delighted. ‘Oh my gosh, you market at All Saints bought a cow in my name!’ Or Episcopal Church in ‘You bought a fl ock of geese in my Beverly Hills. name!’ It’s just so unusual, and it “It had a Christ- puts a picture in people’s heads. mas market,” she They can almost see that.” said, “where you That is in contrast with the way could buy all kinds we normally experience the world’s of different hand- problems, she said. “When we read crafted things to the news we feel so powerless give as gifts that about what’s going on in the world. were made through But an organization like Heifer helps some cha rity orga- you do something in the world that nizations. They also really is making a change in an had a table where individual’s life. It’s a great way to you could sign up alleviate that sense of powerless- Patricia Heaton, who stars in the for Heifer gifts, and ness, and not just as a placebo. It’s popular CBS sitcom “Everybody Loves I thought it was so not just to assuage some guilt—it Raymond,” supports Heifer’s work. unusual. really does have an effect.”

14 May/June 2004 | WORLD ARK www.heifer.org THE HEIFER SPIRIT|GIVING RESOURCES, GIVING SELF

Melvin Burgos, Heifer’s coordinator for the LaVoz project in Guatemala, shows off healthy coffee plants.

“The farmers lower their costs, and we get a better, more sustain- able product,” said Steve Sabol, Green Mountain Coffee Roaster’s vice president of development. “Everybody, including the ultimate consumer, benefi ts.” Heifer’s partnership with Green Mountain, announced in 2002, has produced other benefi ts: ■ Green Mountain has agreed to fund Heifer’s development of an educational curriculum for middle and high school students. The students will learn how their consumption choic- es affect the global community. ■ Green Mountain is donating a Partnership Bears Fruit percentage of its proceeds from By Scott Morris WORLD ARK ASSOCIATE EDITOR certain coffee sales to Heifer. The donations to Heifer are in addition drian Joj Socop, a Guatema- the fi rst project resulting from a to the publicly traded company’s lan coffee farmer, looks at a partnership between Heifer and commitment to give 5 percent of Ablue barrel containing 200 Green Mountain Coffee Roasters its pre-tax earnings to a variety of pounds of California red worms of Waterbury, Vt.—a leading spe- social and environmental initiatives. and sees both a blessing and a cialty coffee company. In addition to worms and chick- business opportunity. “God has blessed us today,” ens, LaVoz cooperative members What do worms have to do with said Socop, president of the co- received training from Heifer in growing coffee? operative. “We are very pleased to sustainable agriculture practices A great deal, it turns out— begin our work with Heifer, to have that help ensure their coffee is especially if the goal is to achieve a useful new resource.” (Continued on page 16) self-reliance by producing superior The worms serve two purposes: coffee that sells for a far better They turn partially decomposed price than commodity coffee. And, coffee pulp into fertilizer and act thanks to Heifer International, as a food source for the chickens Socop and his neighbors will grow that Heifer delivered to the coop- that coffee in a way that is both erative in December. Along with less expensive and more sustain- the decomposed coffee pulp, able than traditional methods. chicken manure will give the The worms arrived at the LaVoz farmers an inexpensive and Members of the LaVoz Cooperative Cooperative in Guatemala’s Lake sustainable source of organic in Guatemala divide California red Atitlan watershed on Nov. 9, 2003. fertilizer, eliminating the need to worms supplied by Heifer. Their delivery marked the start of buy costly chemical alternatives. www.heifer.org May/June 2004 | WORLD ARK 15 THE HEIFER SPIRIT|GIVING RESOURCES, GIVING SELF

An Artist’s Gift By Sherri White HEIFER STAFF WRITER DREAMING COWS olunteers support Heifer’s mis- sion in different ways. Some give money, others time, and BY BETTY LADUKE BETTY BY V many help by raising awareness. The artist, activist and college professor Betty LaDuke furthers Heifer’s cause by doing what she loves—illustrating through her art the connection be- tween all living things and the earth. “So often we don’t have a way to contribute to things we believe in,” LaDuke said in a recent telephone interview. “We feel helpless. For me, I have a lot of pride as an artist that my skills can contribute to Heifer, especially after seeing fi rsthand Heifer’s projects in action.” A professor emeritus of art at Southern Oregon University in Ashland, Ore., LaDuke taught college courses for 32 years and initiated “Women in Art” and “Art in the Third World” classes. Her paintings, draw- ings and exhibits are displayed in mu- seums and universities throughout the United States, and she has many circulating exhibits, published books and video productions. She has traveled extensively to do research.

(Continued from page 15) certifi ed as organic. This designa- When growers leave their farms, changed,” Sabol said. “What we’re tion improves the price the LaVoz Sabol said, they and their families changing, together with Heifer, is farmers get for their coffee. often move to urban areas where the quality of life for members of Green Mountain, meanwhile, they fall into intractable poverty. the community.” has pledged to pay the LaVoz Such migrations increase social The sustainable practices Heif- growers a price that exceeds their instability and human misery while er teaches will help the LaVoz costs of production for coffee that depriving companies like Green farmers protect their environment has Fair Trade certifi cation. That’s Mountain of a stable source of while eggs from the Heifer chick- especially signifi cant now because a high-quality coffee, Sabol said. ens will improve their diets. After market glut of lower quality coffee Green Mountain was already the project matures, cooperative has depressed prices to the point buying coffee from the LaVoz families will be able to generate where many growers worldwide have Cooperative before it joined forces additional income by selling extra been forced to abandon their fi elds. with Heifer. “Our purchasing hasn’t worms, chickens and eggs.

16 May/June 2004 | WORLD ARK www.heifer.org THE HEIFER SPIRIT|GIVING RESOURCES, GIVING SELF

“My work has always been an Presbyterian Program outreach to learn the life cycle and rights of passage of women as art- ists,” she said. “My focus was to Celebrates 35 Years broaden my students’ awareness of women’s creativity in Asia, Africa he Presbyterian Hunger Program, one of Heifer International’s and Latin America.” partners in the fi ght to end hunger, has reached a remarkable LaDuke learned about Heifer Tmilestone. while she was working with another During the program’s 35 years in operation, Presbyterians have non-governmental organization. She contributed more than $75 million, through the national church, to said she reached out to Heifer after alleviate hunger and eliminate its causes. Millions more have been researching its humanitarian work. raised and contributed by Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) congregations When she heard about a Heifer and presbyteries. Study Tour to Uganda and Rwanda, Jo Luck, Heifer’s president and CEO, congratulated the Presbyterian she signed up immediately. Hunger Program for its success. “When I found out Heifer Study “The Presbyterian Hunger Program has made a signifi cant Tours went to Rwanda and Uganda, difference in the lives of hungry families around the world, and Heifer I made a very deliberate choice to is proud to be in partnership with you,” she said in a letter to the learn how a program could help program’s coordinator. people put their lives on track in the “We consider the Hunger Program to be an important partner in aftermath of genocide and war.” our work to bring sustainable solutions to families around the world, LaDuke has given Heifer permis- to raise awareness of these issues in the general public, and to provide sion to use her artwork to promote its opportunities to act on this critical knowledge.” message. Four of her paintings are The Hunger Program is a ministry of the General Assembly Council featured on new note cards available of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). Presbyterians support direct food through World Ark’s Market pages. relief, development assistance, public policy advocacy, education and To learn more about Betty La- lifestyle integrity. Duke, her travels or her art, visit For more information, visit the website pcusa.org/pcusa/wmd/hunger. www.bettyladuke.com.

The curriculum that Green Moun- In its cause-marketing campaign, and allows us to grow our company tain is underwriting, an addition Green Mountain has donated ducks, in a way that is in accord with our to Heifer’s successful community geese and chickens to Heifer in the values,” Sabol said. education program, will use real- name of customers who sign up for Because the joint venture be- life examples to teach middle and the six-month “Better World Coffee tween Heifer and Green Mountain high school students how their con- Tour,” which entitles them to two has worked so well, plans are sumption choices affect the world. bags of coffee per month. Green under way to establish two other When consumers pay a slightly Mountain contributes a share of a coffee projects in Guatemala, ac- higher price to purchase double- heifer in the name of customers who cording to Sabol. Ultimately, he said, certifi ed Fair Trade, organic coffee, sign up for a 12-month tour. Heifer and Green Mountain would Sabol noted, they help farmers in “Our customers are sustaining like to expand the program to every the developing world feed their Heifer’s work, which stabilizes the country where both organizations families and care for the earth. communities where we buy coffee have operations. www.heifer.org May/June 2004 | WORLD ARK 17 THE HEIFER CALENDAR

CERES CENTER in your community and region. Get CONFERENCE AND RETREAT FIELD TRIPS: Learn about Heifer the tools you need to promote Heifer. FACILITIES: Leave the busy world International and Overlook Farm with May 22 behind and relax in the beauty of the a video, guided tour and hayride. PANCAKE BREAKFAST Oct. 16 Ouachita Mountains. ANNUAL GLOBAL VILLAGE DAY June-August HEIFER UNIVERSITY Take a “world tour” at a free daylong OVERLOOK FARM SERVICE LEARNING celebration of the Global Village. Heifer International is offering Weeklong “mission trips” for youth Entertainment, hayrides, hands-on May 23-28 a number of Heifer University groups that include both service activities and more. PARTICIPATORY DEVELOPMENT programs this year. Program cost to the Ceres Center and learning HOME SCHOOL CAMP is $195 per person (includes all opportunities for the youths. Summer A residential camp for home- meals, lodging, program fees and “GVR” PROGRAM: Combine two schooled youth, ages 12-18. transportation to and from the June 7-11, 21-25 popular programs in this multi-day airport when necessary). For more DAY CAMP event that includes Global Village, June 26-27 information, contact Rex Enoch at Hands-on program for youth ages Challenge Course, Cottage Industry INTERNATIONAL FAIR [email protected] or call 6-12 will include farm-type service and more. Featuring the Global Village with (501) 889-5124. The 2004 as well as cottage industries such as SERVICE LEARNING: Weeklong international sites, ongoing enter- schedule follows: candle-making. “mission trips” for youth that include tainment and fresh farm-grown food. June 11-13 July 12-16 both service to the Ranch and July 5-Aug. 27 SHIKINEH RETREAT CENTRE DAY CAMP learning opportunities for the group. SUMMER DAY CAMP SASKATCHEWAN, CANADA Final session of program listed Fall Eight week-long sessions (9 a.m.- above. “GVR” PROGRAM: Combine two 4 p.m.) for kids ages 7-12. Sept. 23-26 popular programs (see above). Oct. 1-2 Sept. 12-17 HEIFER RANCH PERRYVILLE, ARK. YOUTH FOR HEIFER ADULT WORK GROUPS: Fight FARM ANIMAL HOME SCHOOL CAMP An ecumenical event including A residential camp for home- Nov. 11-14 hunger through service with these HOWELL NATURE CENTER hands-on experiences with animals opportunities for adult groups. schooled youth, ages 12–18. and gardening for junior and senior HOWELL, MICH. high youth to learn about Heifer’s Oct. 2 and 3 GLOBAL EXPLORERS: Become Heifer University also offers a program to overcome world hunger HARVEST FESTIVAL a Global Citizen in this two-day program at Overlook Farm in and poverty. residential program designed to Horse-drawn hayrides to “pick-your- own” pumpkins. Food and children’s Rutland, Mass., on Nov. 19-20. help teachers meet Social Studies For information, contact Pat Stanley Year-Round Standards for grades 5-8. activities. FIELD TRIPS: Learn about Heifer at [email protected] or call International and Ceres Education E.A.R.T.H. LEARNING: Learn how to Oct. 10-15 (508) 886-7900. Center with a video, cart ride, help save our planet in this new stan- “HARVEST YEARS” SERVICE LEARNING walking tour and hands-on activities A program for people ages 55 and dards-based daylong or overnight INFORMATION in the barn. environmental education program. older. Help construct baskets of farm products, do farm chores and attend CERES CENTER GLOBAL VILLAGE: Get a taste of Year-Round hunger education sessions. the real world with this overnight Ceres, California FIELD TRIPS: Learn about Heifer Sandy Groll experience. Year-Round International and the Ranch with (877) 841-7182 or a video, hayride and walking tour. DAY EDUCATION PROGRAMS AT MEETING FACILITY: Have your OVERLOOK FARM: Full- and half- [email protected] meeting or gathering “down on GLOBAL VILLAGE: Get a taste of day education programs for groups the farm” and learn about Heifer HEIFER RANCH the real world with this overnight include a video and tour and may Perryville, Arkansas International’s mission to overcome experience. include a Peasant Meal in the Global Ranch Events Offi ce world hunger and poverty. Village, a hunger education session (501) 889-5124 or CHALLENGE COURSE: Learn the and a horse-drawn hayride. [email protected] HEIFER RANCH ropes about teamwork and problem- solving skills. MULTI-DAY SERVICE LEARNING OVERLOOK FARM Sept. 23-26 Two- to fi ve-day stays during which Rutland, Massachusetts HEIFER UNIVERSITY AT THE RANCH COTTAGE INDUSTRY: Workshops groups enjoy farm work and hunger/ (501) 886-2221 or This unique experience focuses on that turn animal products into sustainable agriculture education. [email protected] helping you help Heifer International marketable items. Global Village overnight included.

All locations are open year-round for drop-in visitors, or schedule a fi eld trip for your group.

18 May/June 2004 | WORLD ARK www.heifer.org Travel WITH A PURPOSE

Travel with Heifer International breaks the mold of traditional escorted group tours by exposing participants to the essence of the countries they visit and the lives of the people who live there. Study tours convey life-changing information that will encourage you to return home with a new commitment to join in Heifer’s mission to work with communities to end hunger and poverty while caring for the earth. If you would like to receive information on specifi c trips and a tour leader is not listed, please send your request to [email protected] or call (501) 907-2957.

2004 STUDY TOURS

UKRAINE, July ROMANIA, Sept. 7-23 Leader: Ann Owen Leaders: Drs. Jim and Barb Geistfeld Community Relations Coordinator Ark. [email protected] [email protected] (845) 758-1783 (501) 907-2675 Special Animal Management Trip The second largest country in Europe, Suggested for veterinarians and other the Ukraine declared its independence animal scientists who want to learn about from Russia in 1991. Heifer has been Heifer’s Improved Animal Management working with the people of Ukraine since Program. Companions are welcome. Costs and Lengths of Stay 1994. Heifer is facing the challenge of Prices include airfare (except improving the cattle breeds and lifting ECUADOR, Nov. 4-13 where noted), accommodations, the people out of poverty. Leader: Jan Schrock meals and local transportation. Heifer Senior Adviser Latin America and OREGON—SMALL FARMS, Late July [email protected] the Caribbean Leader: Catherine Knott (207) 878-6846 10-14 days, $1,800-$3,500 Heifer North America Program Director Women to Women [email protected] Jan Schrock, the daughter of Heifer founder Central and Eastern Europe As an advocate of food security and Dan West, returns to Ecuador to explore 10-14 days, $2,800-$3,500 local foods movements, Heifer invites gender equity. You’ll see new projects and you to see how one area is networking learn more about participants’ crafts and Africa locally. These are not Heifer projects, their desire to merchandise items. 17-24 days, $4,000-$5,000 but you’ll hear more about Heifer and our Asia and the North America Program, including the THAILAND/LAOS, Nov. 19-Dec. 3 South Pacifi c Immigrant Farmer Initiative. Leader: Michael Haddigan 14-21 days, $3,200-$4,500 Heifer Communications Director North America PERU, Sept. 6-18 [email protected] (airfare not included) Leader: Diomaris Gonzalez (501) 907-2954 5-10 days, $800-$1,500 Heifer Program Assistant Travel to the remote area of the Hill Tribes [email protected] of northern Thailand and see how Heifer is (501) 907-4934 working within their cultures. In northern Please check our website, The tour, which begins in Lima, will Laos, you’ll hike through forests, rice fi elds www.heifer.org, and click take you to northern Peru, Piura, where and to an Akha tribe village. After two days on “Get Involved” for the most current information. you’ll see Heifer’s work with the fragile of hiking, you’ll take a fl ight to Luang Dry Forest Region. You’ll visit projects Prabang with time to visit the Pak Ou caves in Lambayeque, Cusco and Puno. You’ll as well as temples and markets. This Study also visit Machu Picchu. Tour will be more strenuous than most. www.heifer.org May/June 2004 | WORLD ARK 19 Let It Be A Muslim Community Makes Friends in Mississippi

Farmer Jesse Barnes (above) says the New Medina community and Heifer International have served as sources of inspiration. Rosa Shareef (right) is one of the founders of the Marion County Self-Help Organization. 20 May/June 2004 | WORLD ARK www.heifer.org Story and photographs by Darcy Kiefel

OLUMBIA, Miss.—When their small farms and increase a small group of Muslims their incomes through sustain- decided to build a new able livestock development and life for themselves deep agricultural tra in ing. Some but Cin south Mississippi, some of the not all members of the Marion area’s residents were alarmed. County Self-Help Organization “When we fi rst came to this live in New Medina. Over the community, neighboring families pe- years, group members have titioned against Muslims purchasing strengthened relation ships with community property,” recalls Rosa their neighbors by solving common Shareef, one of the group’s founders. agricultural and environmental More than a decade later, the concerns, increasing income and is the state’s largest business, and group, the Marion County Self- improving family nutrition. most farms in the Mississippi Delta Help Organization, includes several In addition, they have worked are large row crop operations where non-Muslim members and enjoys with local youth to build their farmers raise thousands of acres of warm relations with the people self-esteem and instill a meaning- cotton, soybeans and, more recently, in the Columbia area who once ful work ethic as an alternative corn. Minority farmers working distrusted them. “Two years ago,” to drugs, alcohol, pregnancy and relatively small plots of land have Shareef says, “those families came gang activity. Training has been struggled to compete. to apologize. They appreciated provided by the county Exten- Many minority farmers have lost our progress and understood our sion agent, the local offi ce of the their farms through foreclosure. reasons for being here.” U.S. Agriculture Department’s African-American farmers have lost After the terrorist attacks of Natural Resources Conservation their farms at a rate 10 times higher Sept. 11, 2001, neighbors as well as Service (NRCS), Mississippi State than that of other farmers. local and federal law enforcement University, Southern University and Heifer International is working to offi cials stopped by to offer comfort local veterinarians. help these families hold onto their to the New Medina (New City) com- Other support for the group land and boost their income. munity. The visitors assured Shareef has come from the Presbyterian and other community members Committee for the Self-Develop- A Return to the Land that help was just a phone call away ment of People, which provided for Jesse Barnes, president of the should New Medina be threatened. the purchase of a tractor, haying Marion County Livestock Project, “South Mississippi could teach equipment, bush hog and trailer. lives on 12 acres that have been in the whole world how to behave,” The NRCS has installed a fencing his family for over 100 years. Shareef says. “Based on Sept. 11, we and pasture renovation demonstra- “I was raised here but lived in New were reassured by our neighbors and tion site at one member’s farm. Jersey for the past 39 years,” he says. even strangers who calmed us with New Medina residents have exer- “When my wife, Irma, and I retired the simple words, ‘We know you are cised initiative and resourcefulness in 1998, we decided to return to our not like this and we hope you are to secure support from such diverse land and just sit still. Then I went to a OK.’ Those few words became our institutions. They faced substantial workshop and got sparked up again. words of comfort and peace.” economic challenges when they set It was conducted by New Medina, out in 1991 to purchase 60 acres and the training was provided by Solving Common Problems and build an Islamic school for Heifer International. Heifer International has been their children. “I attended the fi rst meetings with working with members of the Mar- Mississippi is the poorest state apprehension because I had always ion County Self-Help Organization in the nation and most of its 82 felt Muslims were peculiar people, since 1998 to help them maintain counties are rural. Agriculture but during the workshop I real-

www.heifer.org May/June 2004 | WORLD ARK 21 “Hard work, high ideals, faith in God, simple living—with this, you can accomplish a lot.” —Rosa Shareef

ized they respected not only me but help and the help of our project Each recipient of a small herd of everyone else in the community.” recipients.” goats will pass on to another project Barnes had been smoking for “Neighbors may be black or white; partner the same number of equal or 44 years but in 1998, after joining it makes no difference. They just want better quality. Beef cattle recipients the group, he was forced to kick the to help,” Barnes says. “There may be will pass on three Black Angus heif- habit, not only out of respect for his apprehension at fi rst, but then every- ers and a bull between the ages of new Muslim friends, but because one realizes that we are all the same 18 and 24 months. Those receiving he was suffering from lung cancer. and just want a simple life.” Irma chicks will pass on cash to cover the Before his illness was diagnosed, Barnes adds, “We are all together purchase of 100 additional chicks. he and his wife had spent months and God’s children. Race, creed or trying to understand why his health color, we learn from each other.” Sales Expanding continued to deteriorate. Marketing has become an impor- “When Mr. Barnes got ill,” Irma “Feed From the Farm” tant part of the project, and group Barnes remembers, “it was such a Six families have received Spanish members have continued to develop shock to see my husband in so much goats and one buck, and one fam- and expand their sales throughout pain. … We spent months visiting ily has received three Black Angus Mississippi. doctors and hospitals, ending with heifers and a bull. In addition, two “Our vision in New Medina,” Rosa chemotherapy. families have received 100 chickens Shareef says, “was to be a part of the “I just wanted to get rid of the and participated in Heifer’s pastured outer communities but also establish pigs and the goats,” she says. “I was poultry initiative. This includes a religious community where Mus- so scared and didn’t know who would the successful marketing of their lims could live and observe their faith take care of the animals. But we poultry and supplementary funds while practicing organic farming. didn’t have to sell them because our used to purchase small equipment “In 1991, we opened the Islamic group came through.” and pen material for additional school,” she says. “We had the school, “Mississippi people show so much pastured poultry. a place of worship, but no food. That love,” Jesse Barnes adds. “They are Participant families have received is when Heifer International became so friendly, and our group is no training in livestock production, and more involved and understood what exception. I would rather be here today a special committee monitors we were trying to accomplish. than anywhere else in the world. livestock conditions and reproduc- “We were trained by Heifer and “Before,” he says, “I would never tion. Recipients and other members began to integrate what we were have become involved in a group of the group have also been trained learning into our daily lives. Heifer like this, but because of Heifer in integrated animal agriculture and International then opened the International, my involvement with farm management including a “feed doors to other local farmers who this extraordinary group is as strong from the farm” approach. Under this accepted and welcomed our Muslim as my involvement in the church.” program, all feed for livestock will community. Today there is peace, “I cannot tell you how kind my be provided on the farm from understanding and mutual respect community was to me when I was adequate pasture grasses. Such an from farmer to farmer,” she says. sick with cancer. Everyone went out approach reduces the dependency The networking that was estab- of their way to help me with fruit on purchased feed. lished has brought distant neighbors baskets, feeding my animals, offering Trees have been planted to closer as well as provided an alterna- to take me to the doctor,” he says. provide shade for livestock and to tive source of income to the families. “Most families in the project are act as windbreaks. Project part- “Hard work, high ideals, faith in Muslim, with the exception of four ners have been trained to care for God, simple living—with this, you or fi ve, but [this religious diversity] their livestock and are sparking the can accomplish a lot,” Shareef says. has just made us all stronger,” Barnes interest of community youth in ani- “Heifer International has given us says. “I did not realize how kind mal science skills. The hope is that the opportunity to be.” Muslim people were until this project they’ll go on to seek higher education was formed. I was sick with cancer in the areas of veterinary medicine Darcy Kiefel is a Heifer International and made it through with God’s and agriculture. photojournalist based in Boulder, Colo.

22 May/June 2004 | WORLD ARK www.heifer.org W O R D O N T H E W E B

New Features, Same Message You asked, we listened and now it’s here—Heifer’s updated website, where you’ll fi nd that it’s easier than ever to learn about our unique approach to ending hunger, the global impact we make and how you can join us in our work. Click on the interactive map, and you’ll discover exactly where we are and what we do there—project by project. Review the calendar for an up-to-date schedule of events happening in your region of the country. And check out the educational activities going on at our learning centers. You can also get assistance planning your next Heifer Study Tour trip, fi ll out a volunteer application and even download past issues of World Ark. But not everything is new. You’ll still be able to meet Heifer’s project partners and be inspired by their stories of newfound hope and dignity through our gifts of livestock and training. And when you’re ready to make a gift yourself, perhaps in honor of a friend or loved one, our online Most Important Gift Catalog in the World™ is just as handy as ever. Check it out at www.heifer.org and let us know what you think.

OUR WORK GET INVOLVED GIVE LEARN INSIDE HEIFER

Rhinos and Pandas and Books, Oh My! New in Paperback ★ “Engaging . . . an appealing choice.” —School Library Journal, starred review In Little Panda, the world meets Hua Mei, the first giant panda born in the Western Hemisphere in ten years! Includes exclusive photographs from the world-famous San Diego Zoo.

In Jubela, an orphaned baby rhino finds a new mother in this touching, true story from Swaziland. Expressively realistic pastel paintings bring this moving story to life.

Picture books for ages 4-8

Available wherever books are sold

Aladdin Paperbacks • Simon & Schuster Children’s Publishing • www.SimonSaysKids.com www.heifer.org May/June 2004 | WORLD ARK 23 WORLD ARK MARKET

A

C NEW HEIFER NOTE CARDS In the summer of 2003, artist Betty LaDuke participated in a Heifer Study Tour to Uganda and Rwanda. She was so inspired by the places she went and the people she met that she painted these portrayals of Heifer’s project participants, now reproduced on colorful notecards. Each set B contains 12 notecards, 6 each of 2 designs, packaged in an attractive pocket folder.

Heifer Notecards, Uganda: #NNU004, $8.00 Heifer Notecards, Rwanda: #NNR004, $8.00

A BEATRICE’S GOAT by Page McBrier Illustrated by Lori Lohstoeter, The New York Times Bestselling children’s picture book (Simon & Schuster 2000). Read to your children the amazing story of how young Beatrice’s life was changed when her family received a goat from Heifer International. #NB0700, Hardback, $16.00 #NB0700S, Softback, $10.00 B THE COW THAT SAVED THE EARTH Show your support for the mission of Heifer International by wearing this attractive shirt featuring an African batik cow proclaiming “The Cow That Saved the Earth,” along with the Heifer logo on the sleeve. Black, 100% cotton. Adult sizes: S-XXL #NS4800, $12.00 C BEATRICE’S GOAT TOTE BAG Perfect for carrying books or items for work. Beatrice’s Goat imprinted on canvas tote bag; designed to promote Heifer’s Read to Feed® program in conjunction with Simon & Schuster. Illustration by Lori Lohstoeter. #NO0401, $7.50

24 May/June 2004 | WORLD ARK www.heifer.org HEIFER MUG A coffee mug with Heifer’s logo on it makes a great gift for almost anyone, even yourself. #NM0411, $8.00 ARK T-SHIRT This beautiful, vibrant shirt was designed by artist Stephanie Carter and its message signifies animals HEIFER 2004 WALL CALENDAR bringing happiness around the world. Beautiful photographs taken around White, 100% cotton. the world show Heifer’s project Adult: #NS4700; partners in their communities. Sizes: S-XXXL, $12.00 12-month calendar. Child: #NS4700; #NV2004, $6.50 Sizes: XS-L, $10.00

ARK T-SHIRT AND SWEATSHIRT This colorful T-shirt, designed by Roxanna Villa, shows Heifer animals on parade. Available in a T-shirt or sweatshirt. White, 100% cotton.

T-SHIRT Adult: #NS4400; Sizes: S-XXXL, $12.00 Child: #NS4400; Sizes: XS-L, $10.00 HEIFER DENIM SHIRT This classic denim button-down shirt SWEATSHIRT is perfect for any casual occasion. Adult: #NS4500; Sizes: S-XXXL, $20.00 Heifer’s embroidered logo can clearly Child: #NS4500; Sizes: S-L, $15.00 be seen above the left breast pocket. Available in long sleeve or short sleeve. Adult sizes: S-XXXL Long sleeve: #NS4100, $30.00 Short sleeve: #NS4200, $28.00

HEIFER CAPS FAITH THE COW Sporting this ball cap will HEIFER GOLF SHIRT by Susan Bame Hoover indicate your support of Heifer Perfect for that hard-to-shop-for man Illustrated by Maggie Sykora. International. 100% cotton in your life. However, women also Read the story about how the idea with a relaxed front; easily like the classic look of this golf shirt. for Heifer International came to life adjustable. Available in Available in white or natural colors. and how Faith the cow helped stone or khaki. Adult sizes: S-XXXL families in Puerto Rico. One size fits all. #NS4300, $20.00 #NB0705, Hardback, $16.00 #NS4000, $10.00 www.heifer.org May/June 2004 | WORLD ARK 25 ORDER FORM

NAME WORLD ARK VIDEOS

SHIPPING ADDRESS A B C CITY STATE ZIP

PHONE ❏ RESIDENCE ❏ BUSINESS

CHECK ENCLOSED $ ______

CHARGE TO MY CREDIT CARD: $ ______❏ VISA ❏ MASTERCARD ❏ DISCOVER ❏ AMERICAN EXPRESS

D F G CREDIT CARD NUMBER (ALL DIGITS, PLEASE) E

EXPIRATION DATE

NAME AS IT APPEARS ON CARD

SIGNATURE

A “LEGACY FOR EFRAIN” Quantity Item # Adult/ChildColor Size Item Name Price/Each Total This award-winning video is the perfect introduction to Heifer’s work around the world. 17 minutes #NV0211, $10.00

B “A SIMPLE GIFT” Churches partnering with Heifer are helping transform the lives of impoverished people from Bosnia to Guatemala. 16 minutes #NV0215, $10.00

C “BUILDING COMMUNITIES OF HOPE” Learn about the work that Heifer is doing right here in the United States. 31 minutes #NV0216, $10.00

D “THE FLAME” An inspiring video features Heifer’s work with women’s project groups through its WiLD (Women in Livestock Development) program that empowers women around the world. 15 minutes Subtotal $ ______#NV0214, $10.00 WORLD ARK May/June ‘04 Shipping and Handling $ ______Prices good through January ’05 E “REMEDIES: HEALING THE EARTH” Total ______In countries all over the globe local people are involved in improving their environment. This award-winning video showcases diverse projects in several countries including SHIPPING AND HANDLING (UNITED STATES AND CANADA) the United States. 19 minutes $00.01 — $20.00 ...... $4.50 #NV0180, $10.00 $20.01 — $30.00 ...... $6.00 F “GET CONNECTED! A GLOBAL VILLAGE EXPERIENCE” $30.01 — $50.00 ...... $7.00 See firsthand the types of experiential learning activities that take place at Heifer’s learning centers. 17 minutes $50.01 — $80.00 ...... $8.50 #NV0170, $10.00 OVER $80.00 ...... $12.00 G “THE PROMISE” How do children in India and Uganda live? Award-winning

Mail to Heifer International Please cut along dashed line children’s video illustrates how the animals Heifer provides P.O. Box 8058, Little Rock, AR 72203-8058 give hope and the promise of a brighter future. 10 minutes 1-800-422-0474 #NV0213, $10.00

WE4490000 26 May/June 2004 | WORLD ARK www.heifer.org WWOMENOMEN in the Rain By Frances Moore Lappé and Jeffrey Perkins

The following is an excerpt from You Have the Power: Choosing Courage in a Culture of Fear hirty years ago Women Strike Looking back, I know that was the fear that by Frances Moore for Peace helped achieve a pushed me out of grad school to seek my Lappé and Jeffrey remarkable victory: an end to path. Yet too often this kind of fear isn’t above-ground nuclear testing motivating; it’s debilitating. How often do Perkins. In her latest thatT rained radioactive fallout worldwide, we hear friends and acquaintances lament book, Lappé, the even showing up at dangerous levels in their “drop in the bucket” status, their bestselling author mothers’ milk. Journalist Rebecca Solnit feeling of powerlessness. of Diet for a Small recalls hearing of a middle-aged member The consequences of such internal of the group talking about feeling utterly messages are momentous. But we don’t Planet and Hope’s “foolish and futile” as she stood in the rain realize just how momentous … until we Edge, and her one morning, sign in hand, protesting at think of what’s possible when people co-author, Jeffrey the Kennedy White House. believe the opposite. Call up in your mind Perkins, show how to Futile? Many years later she would one of those dramatic scenes we’ve all create both personal hear Dr. Benjamin Spock—then one of heard about when someone marshals the the country’s highest-profi le opponents strength of Hercules to lift a 3,000-pound and social change in of nuclear testing—say that the turning- car off a trapped child, or rushes, without a world full of fear. to-action point for him was seeing a small a moment’s hesitation, into a burning group of women standing in the rain building to save a stranger. Where do they protesting at the White House. According fi nd the strength and courage? we wonder. ©2004 Frances Moore to Solnit, Spock concluded: “If they were so In part, these qualities appear because Lappé and Jeffrey Perkins. passionately committed, he should give the in such moments people know their actions Reprinted by permission of issue more consideration himself.” matter—really matter. Imagine, then, if Jeremy P. Tarcher/Penguin of Penguin Group (USA), “It’s always too early to calculate effect,” you and I could see that our actions can New York. Solnit warns us, yet that’s exactly what we matter just that much, if we were to carry grasp for: We want to know we’re making a within us the understanding that our small difference. We fear our own insignifi cance. planet, down to our own community, is that www.heifer.org May/June 2004 | WORLD ARK 27 burning building. And, like the people in we just wouldn’t have made it this far. … those life-and-death encounters, we know We’re hard wired … to enjoy cooperating it’s up to us and no one else to save the day: with each other. In fact, we’re hard wired Raw energy could burst forth to carry us to care. … through our fear. I recall my fi rst inkling of this energy A “Helper’s High” shift. I was 31 years old, fl ying back from survey of more than 3,000 Americans Rome where I’d attended the fi rst United A found—as many of us have discovered Nations conference to end hunger. I’d gone on our own—what researchers call a The depth, mainly to learn. But to my astonishment, “helper’s high.” Ninety-fi ve percent of pervasiveness and the “expert” corporate and government volunteers reported that after helping heads gathered were trapped in the myths others they themselves feel better physically complexity of today’s that I’d discovered were actually blinding and emotionally. They reported heightened problems mean us to the solutions at hand. I still recall the energy and feelings of greater serenity. that answers can’t fl ight home, reclining in my airplane seat, … Since caring about something beyond thinking, “Oh my God, this means it is up to ourselves is “natural,” it follows that the real come from the top me. For, if not me, who?” oddballs are those who aren’t in touch with down; they have such feelings. How much more empowering An Awakening is that thought! And it follows, then, that to come from the his didn’t feel like an ego-centered witnessing another’s pain but not acting — bottom up, from Tthought but more like an awakening to as we do, for example, in walking with eyes “regular” people an essential truth: The depth, pervasiveness diverted past a destitute, hungry person— and complexity of today’s problems mean violates not just some abstract, unheeded acting on common that answers can’t come from the top “you should,” but something much deeper sense and assuming down; they have to come from the bottom inside us. up, from “regular” people acting on Evolving in close-knit tribes, utterly responsibility. common sense and assuming responsibility. dependent on each other, it makes perfect Suddenly my energy soared; I knew exactly sense that values fostering the group’s what I had to do when I got home. In record welfare became part of what we call human time I rewrote my fi rst book Diet for a Small nature. But with the so-called culture wars Planet, making its message even clearer, and at home and tumult over an apparent ultimately reaching millions of readers. chasm between an Islamic worldview and The opposite, an energy sink, is what the West’s, any notion of common values happens when a tiny dribble into a lousy among all of us seems easily tossed out as a bucket is all we imagine ourselves to be. pipe dream. And, if there are no common In order to stop disempowering ourselves values, where’s the basis for common it might help to dissect the thoughts problem solving? wrapped up inside the deadly drop-in-the- Rushmore Kidder, founder of the bucket refrain. One is the notion that we Institute for Global Ethics in Maine, begs are oddballs if we care about others and the to differ. His “Shared Values for a Troubled larger world; that we are misfi ts because we World” reviews his conversations with diverse want more from our lives than survival and people from widely differing world cultures material ease. and identifi es many underlying values they We can let go of this “thought trap” all share. Among them are truthfulness, pretty easily once we acknowledge the fairness, responsibility and respect for obvious: that if human beings didn’t have life. Adam Smith himself, supposedly the twin needs for connection with each the godfather of dog-eat-dog (aka value- other and effectiveness in the outer world less) economics, actually believed that all

28 May/June 2004 | WORLD ARK www.heifer.org humanity shares a number of deeply rooted history, but in math, computers and physics moral sentiments. He singled out justice, allow us to see interconnections we literally noting a “remarkable distinction” between could not before see. it and other “social virtues.” Other virtues In his book “Linked,” Albert-Laszlo are somewhat optional, he wrote, but “we Barabasi, a physics professor at Notre Dame, feel ourselves to be in a peculiar manner writes: “We have come to see that we live in tied, bound, and obliged to the observation a small world where everything is linked to of justice.” everything else.” If we really let this simple … Perhaps we humans … feel so deeply fact sink in, we realize how much power we about justice or fairness because we evolved have. Networks are key to understanding knowing that infractions against it weaken the world, Barabasi adds. “Small changes the community on which our lives depend. … affecting only a few of the nodes or links Evolving in close- As Smith himself noted, it is injustice that can open up hidden doors, allowing new knit tribes, utterly “will utterly destroy” society. possibilities to emerge.” We despair over our dependent on each Everywhere people are coming to understand that the more other, it makes participants themselves are involved in decisions affecting their perfect sense that futures, the better the outcomes for all. values fostering But the drop-in-the-bucket mindset, individual powerlessness only if we remain the group’s welfare leading so many to despair of ever making trapped in our own skins and blind to the became part of real change in the world, is even more intricate networks sewing us all together. In debilitating than we might think. For, networks every one of us is a “node” whose what we call actually, we may say we feel like a drop in actions can ripple through all the links. human nature. the bucket but, egad, we actually feel more like drops in the Sahara—evaporating even Only Entry Points before hitting the sand! We feel this way— nce seeing the world as a totally insignifi cant—because we can’t see … Oclosely woven net, not a bunch the bucket. of discrete boxes, our perception of our own To fl ip our fear of insignifi cance into actions in the world shifts. The old notion, surging power, we must be able to perceive for example, that positive outcomes result that bucket, that wider pattern of positive from citizens and do-good groups tackling change that our efforts help bring to life. discrete “issues” can seem overwhelming. The fact is, buckets fi ll up pretty fast, as There are just too many, and more seem anyone knows who’s ever had a leaky roof to be cropping up every day. The problem on a rainy night. is that an “issue” we imagine as something we can separate out, with a beginning What Is Ecology? and ending: issues like child care, water ntriguingly, the last few decades have seen pollution, gay rights, money’s infl uence in Irevolutions in our perceptions of reality politics and so on. But, actually, there are that make this trick much more possible. no issues, distinct and fi nite. There are only Many born since the 1960s, for example, entry points into the network of life. If we may not realize that the very word “ecology” think of our actions as “entry points,” each is brand new to popular language. And affecting a node in the pattern, then we see what is ecology, anyway? It’s the science of we are actually shifting the whole pattern relationships—of the intricate webs linking when we act with clear intention. The all of life—that is gradually infusing our ripples through the network are potentially consciousness. Advances not just in natural infi nite. What a sense of power! www.heifer.org May/June 2004 | WORLD ARK 29 … Earlier we said that being able to also means some students gaining a role in perceive “the bucket” is key to seeing our school governance. Work teams spreading power. Knowing that our drops don’t just in factories. Citizen assemblies in major evaporate in the desert is to gain hope, municipalities now making signifi cant transmuting fear to positive energy. budget choices. And patients increasingly And what is that “bucket” we’re fi lling? enlisted in their own healing practice. The vessel that “holds” our conscious Everywhere people are coming to choices and allows them to collect is not, understand that the more participants we’re convinced, a particular issue—such as themselves are involved in decisions a campaign to save the environment—nor affecting their futures, the better the is it a new political “ism” defi ning a better outcomes for all. society. The bucket is an awakening, a set of Here again, we humans are more like new, complementary perceptions of reality our animal friends than we might have that themselves make movement toward a guessed. While animal-behavior experts more life-serving planet conceivable. One long assumed that, say, the head-honcho is the networked-as-opposed-to-isolated- buffalo decides when the herd moves, boxes view of life we just mentioned. they’re discovering it just doesn’t work that At the end of our lives few of us want to meet an unchanged self. Don’t we hope instead to discover that who we are has changed many times throughout our lives, as we learned to listen and to respond in new ways to the unknown? If we think of our Another is a new understanding of way. Now they know such actions refl ect actions as “entry power—what it is and who has it. We’ve lived the preference of the majority. Red deer, for so long under the spell of hierarchy— native to Britain, for instance, move only points,” each from god-kings to feudal lords to party when 60 percent of the adults stand up. affecting a node in bosses—that only perhaps in the last few Whooper swans of northern Europe “vote” hundred years has the mist begun to clear. by moving their heads; African buffalo, by the pattern, then we In this country it’s because certain among the direction of the females’ gaze. Scientists see we are actually us have been willing to walk with their fear also conclude that this sort of animal shifting the whole to dump tea into a certain harbor, to stand “democracy” carries a tangible survival up against slavery, to march down the street edge over top-down direction. pattern when we act claiming that even females could be trusted with clear intention. with the vote, and to sit in at lunch counters An Interconnected World in Mississippi. utting all this together we see that The ripples through Prather than a top-down, command- the network are Citizen Groups Surge and-control world where those at the potentially infinite. his radical shift in perception bottom have virtually no power, we are … Tis so pervasive ... that it’s hard living in a highly interconnected world with What a sense to identify it for the revolution that it is. changes rippling up and through billions of of power! Some measure it in the explosive growth of “nodes” —ourselves and our communities. citizen organizations, now totaling 2 million If this is true, how do we come to feel it in the U.S. alone and growing worldwide, in our bones? If “mirror neurons” exist, as too. … More national governments, the previous chapter celebrated, then we as well as the U.N., are inviting citizen can become aware moment to moment that representatives to the table. This growing our daily actions actually help create what appreciation of the power of regular people goes on around us. The existence of mirror

30 May/June 2004 | WORLD ARK www.heifer.org neurons means that we infl uence each other Seven Old Thoughts, Seven New Thoughts in ways mysterious and invisible: When I’m watching your actions, my brain is fi ring as Old Thoughts New Thoughts if I were taking those actions myself. We are forever sending signals. In “The Feeling of Fear means I’m in danger. Fear is pure energy. Being Stared At,” the Cambridge University Something’s wrong. I must It’s a signal. It might mean biologist Rupert Sheldrake offers intriguing escape and seek safety. 1 stop, it could mean go! evidence that such exchange goes on beneath conscious awareness. And we must not forget that our actions If I stop what I’m doing, I’ll Sometimes we have to stop send signals to ourselves, too. To transform be lost. I’ll never start again. in order to fi nd our path. our fear of insignifi cance we must ride herd 2 on those messages as well. For, while we may want to believe “the We don’t have to believe world can change,” how can we possibly I have to fi gure it all out we can do it to do it; the very believe that others more oppressed—some before I can do anything. act of showing up, even with pushed to the very edge of survival—can 3 our fear, has power. fi nd their voices if we don’t experience ourselves changing? Or, stated positively: We can believe the world can change If I act on what I believe, Confl ict means engagement. only as we experience ourselves changing. confl ict will break out. I’ll be Something real is in motion. Ultimately, it’s our own direct experience humiliated and ineffective. 4 It’s an opening, not a closing. that’s the most convincing. At the end of our lives few of us want to meet an unchanged self. Don’t we hope Our greatest fears are our Our worst fears can be instead to discover that who we are has worst enemies; they drag our greatest teachers. changed many times throughout our lives, us down and hold us back. 5 as we learned to listen and to respond in new ways to the unknown? And there may be only one sure way to To fi nd genuine connection, realize that hope. It is, as we’ve noted, by If I’m really myself, I’ll be we must risk disconnection. being willing to risk. Risk is anything that excluded. If I break connection, The new light we shine draws brings up fear. And what feels like a risk to I’ll be alone forever. 6 others toward us, and we one of us may feel like a breeze to you. Yet, as become conscious choosers. we see ourselves doing what we thought we could not do, we become what we all secretly want—we become heroes to ourselves. We I’m just a drop in the bucket. Every time we act, even feel more powerful. And we are. My effort might make me feel with our fear, we make room … As we proceed on our walk with fear, better, but it can’t do much. 7 for others to do the same. we become more convincing to ourselves, Courage is contagious. and we can look out to the rest of the world able to see possibilities once hidden from view. Others see our courage growing, From You Have the Power: Choosing Courage in a Culture of Fear by Frances too; and we can never guess the impact. Moore Lappé and Jeffrey Perkins. Copyright © 2004 Frances Moore Lappé So as you begin to embrace new, liberating and Jeffrey Perkins. Reprinted by permission of Jeremy P. Tarcher/Penguin thoughts about fear, one thing is certain: of Penguin Group (USA), New York. Your change does not stop with you. www.heifer.org May/June 2004 | WORLD ARK 31 MIXED MEDIA|FOOD FOR THOUGHT

Mary Jane Butters Serves Up Good, Wholesome Living By Eileen Dolbeare HEIFER INTERNATIONAL NEW MEDIA DIRECTOR

ood is one of our most basic human food “from farm house to your house.” Her needs and pleasures. We should be fi rst book, “Mary Jane’s Gathering Place,” is nourished and fulfi lled by what we scheduled to be published in spring 2005. eat—not confused and scared. Her “elegant and easy” products, featured Butters is an organic farmer FBut in a time of mad cow disease, at http://www.maryjanesfarm.org, include an from Moscow, Idaho. genetically modifi ed organisms and wide- array of exclusively organic foods including spread uncertainty about the validity of our such appetizing options as sweet corn salsa, food pyramid—are you low carb or low fat?— garlic pesto fry bread and Sicilian polenta. we’re often left wondering how to make the Her website includes an online catalog best and safest food choices. where users can purchase organic food at a That’s why Mary Jane Butters’ solution to reasonable price and read recipes for easy- all of the confusion is so compelling. Butters, to-cook one-skillet meals. It’s a solution to an organic farmer from Moscow, Idaho, with eat organically even on a tight budget. a passion for feeding people well, runs an Butters’ products are just the beginning organic farm with a name as appealing of the “everyday organic” lifestyle she as her own—“Paradise Farm,” where she espouses. In a 144-page, full-color magazine produces a line of instant or quick-prep that Butters calls “one part catalog and two organic meals. parts magazine,” she has created a “women’s Dubbed by some as a possible successor magazine where we can share solutions and to Martha Stewart for her natural domestic show off our talents and really just a place creativity, Butters wants to reconnect rural where we can talk.” food producers with consumers. Today, her Mary Jane Butters is a charismatic fi gure website, magazine and product line offer because she brings us back to the basics of “Simple Solutions for Everyday Organic” good, wholesome food in a way that’s doable that help people access wholesome, organic and satisfying. And that’s truly sustainable.

Smart http://www.sustainable.doe.gov sustainability means meeting the needs of t’s not hard to agree that sustainable the present without sacrifi cing the ability of Communities Idevelopment is one of the best ways to future generations to meet their own needs. Network invest in our future and the health of our It’s a noble goal. But how do you start in world. But it can be an intimidating concept your own backyard? Recycling? Solar energy? to apply to your own life and community. Local shopping? Civic planning? First, you might ask, “What exactly is it?” All of the above and more. And the U.S. According to the United Nations, Energy Department has amassed a valuable

32 May/June 2004 | WORLD ARK www.heifer.org MIXED MEDIA|FOOD FOR THOUGHT

How to Eat Well MARY JANE BUTTERS OFFERS SOME SIMPLE TIPS ON Living Simply HOW TO BUY AND MAKE HEALTHY, ORGANIC FOOD. www.simpleliving.net Find food with a face on it. Put a face to food. Know the farmer; or many people, including those with know who handled the food and where Fplenty of cash, living better doesn’t it came from. There is all this faceless mean having more, it means enjoying what food1 in the grocery stores, and we have faceless they do have more or doing more with less. corporations who If you’re among those who’ve come to feel feed us. Support a local enslaved rather than liberated by material farmer. possessions, if you just want to learn some- Go to your farmers thing new, or if you’d like to chat with market religiously. Even people with similar interests, you’ll enjoy Throw out in2 your grocery store, if you see www.simpleliving.net. your salad they’re trying to support a local The folks at the Simple Living Network 3forks. person, really make an effort call themselves “an international network of What do you do with not only to buy what they’re like-minded individuals who enjoy sharing a rutabaga or beets? producing, but communicate their ideas and insights about ‘simple living’ I’ve created a solu- with them and thank them. (a.k.a. “voluntary simplicity”). tion for how to eat Think of them as national “Simplicity is not about poverty or vegetables—eat sal- heroes because we don’t have deprivation,” the website tells us. “It is about ad with a spoon. Put enough. discovering what is ‘enough’ in your life— all your greens and based upon thoughtful analysis of your vegetables on a cutting board lifestyle and values—and discarding the in a big mound and chop it rest.” up. It’s a great way to eat more Focus Visitors will fi nd a database of local diverse food. Throw out your and do simplicity study groups, tools “for earth- salad forks! little friendly, sustainable living” and discussion things. forums, among many other resources. The world needs so 4much that it gets The Simple Living Network offers overwhelming. Do smaller things that suggestions that don’t just save cents; they make you feel good, and go on to the make sense. next thing. Change grows organically. —Reviewed by Jan Cottingham, World Ark Editor

web resource of all things sustainable known If you’re interested in learning about —Reviewed by as “Smart Communities Network—Topics alternatives to traditional planning and Eileen Dolbeare, on Sustainability” to help guide you. The development, which are creating, rather Heifer International site offers overview articles, slideshows, web than solving, social and environmental New Media Director links, recommended books and videos, and problems such as urban sprawl, congestion, educational materials and programs that can overcrowding, pollution and resource over- develop and promote sustainability in local consumption, you will fi nd the site worthy of communities. a bookmark. www.heifer.org May/June 2004 | WORLD ARK 33 By James De Vries HEIFER SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT OF PROGRAMS

y fi rst impression on entering Imadol, on “ I H a v e a N a m e ” the outskirts of Kath- mandu, is that it’s just likeM thousands of other villages. The Women in dwellings are simple one- or two-story brick houses, built by the families many Nepal Find years ago. Some are covered by thatch, others by tile. All are surrounded by rice paddies and small gardens. Their Voice Chickens run to avoid our vehicle. Children run to the road to observe the visitors. Down in the valley, stacks Freedom of red bricks indicate a cottage industry from the of brick making. We come to a stop at a junction fear of in the dirt road, which serves as the poverty center of the village, and a group of empowers smiling women immediately su r rounds people. us. The palms of their hands join in a prayer-like gesture: “Namaste,” which means “Welcome.” As we emerge from our four-wheel- drive vehicle, the women place leis of fl owers around our necks and apply a “tika,” bright red-colored rice and oil, to our foreheads. The women, members of Parijat Women’s Group, a “women’s awareness group,” can hardly contain themselves while telling us about their group and the impact of Heifer’s assistance.

Literacy Training Included n 2000, 13 women received either

PHOTO BY DARCY KIEFEL/HEIFER INTERNATIONAL KIEFEL/HEIFER DARCY BY PHOTO Itwo sheep or two goats and either one ram or one buck after training in the Heifer Cornerstones of Just and Sustainable Development and Improved Animal Management. Much effort also went into helping the group learn how to manage its own activities. And in a unique feature for the Heifer program in Nepal, the women also have the opportunity to participate in literacy training.

34 May/June 2004 | WORLD ARK www.heifer.org With Heifer’s help the women of Imadol Desperate, she had approached the have changed their lives. group, again offering her tilahi as security. Sarada Bista, the chairwoman of the The women told her, “We could never take group, tells me, “Before Heifer, I could not your tilahi. It is your pride, your dignity.” But speak.” This is hard for me to believe as I they agreed to give her the loan. listen to her proudly discussing the group’s The woman’s husband recovered com- achievements. pletely and helped to repay the loan. The men of Imadol took note that “women are Income Triples able to help their husbands and not just men ecause of the sheep and goats, the helping women.” Bwomen’s income has more than tripled, Radhika Khadka explains, “As a result rising to the equivalent of $200 annually. of Heifer, we have found our voice. We can This disposable income has enabled families use our own name. We get mail in our own to pay fees for all their children, not just boys, name; before we could only get it through to attend school. They have improved their our husbands. Even though we are poor homes, bought clothes, invested in land and and did not have any dowry, we can help developed businesses, such as broiler chicken our husbands.”

production. PHOTOS OF COURTESY JAMES DE VRIES/HEIFER INTERNATIONAL One of the group’s members won what’s called the Golden Talent Award. Of the $1,000 award, the winner kept $200 and the rest went to her group. One woman in Imadol had approached a moneylender for a loan to get medical attention for her very ill husband. “He refused because I am a woman,” she tells me. “They don’t trust women, even though I offered my tilahi as security.” (A tilahi, a gold ornament worn on strands of beads around the neck, is given to a woman by her husband when they are married. It’s equivalent to a wedding band.)

Confi dence and Hope Top: The women have organized hile the Heifer animals served as a a day care center Wwonderful catalyst, the formation of for children while the group—and the confi dence and hope their parents work it has inspired—has been the biggest gift making bricks. Left: The author to the women. visits a Heifer project The members of the Parijat Women’s member in Imadol. Group have power. They have worked together to improve the village road. They helped a family whose house burned down, buying clothes, food, pots and pans and other necessities. The group takes particular pride in showing me their small temple, which they built with donated money and www.heifer.org May/June 2004 | WORLD ARK 35 labor. “Now we have our own place to worship rupees to help with the girl’s school fees. each day.” “Our group gives preference to the girl While I am with the group, the members child because they are often neglected,” the hold their monthly saving and credit members explain. meeting. Each month, every member of the The group also pledges to help the boy group is required to save the same amount. next month, and the mother indicates she’s During the meeting, all 24 members sure the headmaster will accept this promise deposit their savings, and even though some from the group and allow her son to attend couldn’t be present, their savings are duly school meanwhile. Everyone then claps recorded. With 1,200 rupees available, the approval and the loans are recorded. group then hears oral applications for loans. Because of the One member asks for 600 rupees to buy Everyone Repays sheep and goats, a goat, a second requests 600 rupees to buy he group charges fi ve rupees per month cloth to make dresses for her daughters for on a loan of 500 rupees. That’s about the women’s T the coming festival, another woman needs one-tenth of what is charged by the local income has more 1,000 rupees for school fees for her son, and moneylenders. Asked if anyone has defaulted than tripled, rising a fourth wants 1,000 rupees for school fees on a loan, they respond, “Never. They can’t for her daughter. fail to repay.” During the past fi ve years to the equivalent A discussion on the merit of these requests repayments have sometimes been delayed of $200 annually. follows. After about 10 minutes of debate, because of bad weather or other problems. This disposable Laxmi Shrestha stops the conversation and But, eventually, everyone repays. income has enabled says, “We all agree these are good requests, As the meeting wraps up, I’m introduced but we only have 1,200 rupees available and to four girls who have received sponsorships famil ies to pay fees the total needed is 3,200.” to attend school; two were sponsored for all their children, As an honored guest and leader in Heifer by Heifer Nepal through its scholarship not just boys, to International, I fear they’ll turn to me and program, and two by the local group. ask me to decide. I say a silent prayer for Ranjita, a pretty little girl of about 12, attend school. wisdom. The group quickly agrees, however, thanks Heifer for helping her. “I was afraid to use the Heifer Cornerstones to help make because of poverty that I could never go to the decision. school,” she says. Every month, the group takes one Looking at Ranjita, I think of my grand- Cornerstone as the theme for that month. daughter Lauren who is also 12 and an eager They use the Cornerstones regularly to learner. How many girls and boys are “afraid assess the group’s activities. because of poverty”? How many take their After further lively discussion, Laxmi opportunity to go to school for granted? Shrestha explains their decision. Using the As we leave the village, the women tell me Cornerstones of Genuine Need and Justice that their group “has become famous.” They and Income and Nutrition, the group will are receiving many requests from others provide 500 rupees for the goat because in the area to help them start groups and that will generate income for a member who have already passed on the gift to two new doesn’t already own a goat. They also award groups. 200 rupees for cloth, as this family is “very The image of people—of little girls, of poor” and their small daughter would be women and men—living in fear because very sad not to receive a new dress for the of poverty has stayed with me since leaving festival. “The older one will understand, so Imadol. Such fear imprisons people. Free we only give her 200 rupees.” of it, they live empowered and proud. First Next, based on the Cornerstone of impressions are deceiving. Imadol is no Gender and Family Focus, they grant 500 ordinary village. It’s a wellspring of hope.

36 May/June 2004 | WORLD ARK www.heifer.org A Golden Anniversary in the Philippines Celebrating 50 Years of Sustainable Success

J. Rex Enoch, Heifer adult education manager (in blue shirt), stands with members of the Study Tour group that visited the Philippines.

Story and Photographs by J. Rex Enoch HEIFER ADULT EDUCATION MANAGER

hen Study Tour par- of Heifer International country staff emonies involving water buffalo, goats, ticipants planted rice members, local leaders, various partner cows and chickens. We visited projects and trees in the Philip- organizations and, now, key political in all three regions where Heifer works pines earlier this year, fi gures has ensured that this effort will (Mindanao, the Visayas and Northern Wthey helped extend the legacy of one of be sustainable. Luzon), meeting project participants Heifer International’s oldest and most At all levels, Filipinos are “Passing and learning about the cultural heri- successful country programs. on the Gift” of knowledge, training and tage of their beautiful country. For 50 years, Heifer Philippines hope for a better future. And we planted rice and trees— has been addressing challenges of During our Study Tour (Jan. 24-Feb. which will help current and future fam- poverty, environmental degradation, 8), we had the privilege of participating ilies move toward greater self-reliance. and signifi cant political and social in activities celebrating the Philippines But best of all, we met many turmoil through innovative programs. program’s Golden Anniversary. We wonderfully hospitable people every- Outstanding leadership on the part took part in fi ve Passing on the Gift cer- where we went. www.heifer.org May/June 2004 | WORLD ARK 37 A mountainous region north of Lubuagan on the island of Luzon is known for its For 50 years, terracing to allow rice cultivation. Heifer Philippines has worked to over- come widespread poverty, environmen- tal degradation and persis tent political and social turmoil.

The Early Years explore the possibility of reopening the practice provides project partners with ike almost any organization that program. the opportunity to help others as they Lhas persevered for 50 years, Heifer Jim Orprecio, who was working have been helped. This fi ts well with Philippines has a remarkable history. with the United Missions Offi ce that the cultural norm of utang na loob, or Heifer’s work in the Philippines coordinated six religious groups’ pro- debt of gratitude, a signifi cant Filipino began in the early 1950s, when animals grams in the Philippines, accompanied value. Heifer Philippines has identifi ed (primarily goats) were being shipped Aaker around the country. Because of four priority issues. They are: to South Korea by boat. On their continued political unrest, the Philip- ■Sustainable Natural Resource return trip, the boats stopped in the pines offi ce was not offi cially opened Management, a livestock-based com- Philippine Islands to pick up monkeys until September of that year with Kate munity development approach that to take back to the United States for sale Geiger being named country director. focuses on the livelihood of farm fami- to zoos. In 1954, they started bringing Orprecio was hired in October lies, and the ecological sustainability of additional goats, which they exchanged 1986 to work with Geiger, and they the production system and watershed. for monkeys. administered a program with an annual ■Program Sustainability, which The goats were given to local YMCAs, budget of $50,000. involves increasing the program’s which distributed them to area farmers. When Geiger left in 1991 (to resources and diversifying its funding These fi rst projects, on the island work with Heifer Indonesia), Orprecio base in order to serve more families of Leyte, usually involved no formal became country director, a position he and communities. training programs for recipients. held until this year. The primary goal ■Project Sustainability and Self- Later, the program was administered of the program’s leaders was to institute Reliance, in which every effort is made by United Church of Christ and United better training procedures to insure the to maximize the productivity and Methodist missionaries who worked success of the projects. This continues impact of all projects for long-term together through the Philippines Global to be a chief focus, along with a strong benefi ts to both partner organizations Life Center. This partnership lasted emphasis on ecological awareness. and member families. until the UCC missionary who had been ■Gender, Equality and Justice, coordinating the programs retired in Heifer Philippines’ Priorities which enhances the signifi cance of 1983. The resulting leadership vacuum, onsistent with Heifer’s standard equal involvement and full participation coupled with a political situation that Cpractices, Heifer Philippines uses of all family and community members made work in the countryside unsafe, livestock, training and technical services to insure the success of development led to a cessation of the program for to alleviate hunger and poverty and undertakings. three years. care for the earth. Passing on the Gift Years of unsustainable farming After former dictator Ferdinand is an integral part of the program’s practices have resulted in many prob- Marcos and his family went into exile, partnership with local community lems. Soil erosion and soil infertil- a Heifer employee, Jerry Aaker, traveled organizations. In addition to insuring ity have led to malnutrition, high to the Philippines in February 1986 to the sustainability of the program, this infant mortality and food insecurity.

38 May/June 2004 | WORLD ARK www.heifer.org Children selected for participation in the ChiLD (Children in Livestock Development) program receive their chickens at the Lantapan Field Offi ce on the island of Mindanao.

Every effort is made in all aspects of percent of children in upland commu- Only 4 percent of children Heifer Philippines’ work to provide nities complete high school, literacy lev- in upland communities opportunities for families to produce els are declining. Low incomes because complete high school. and share food and income from their of environmental degradation, popula- own resources in ways that are econom- tion pressure and decreased landhold- a dependency category (below 17 or ically and ecologically sound, and thus ings make it diffi cult for families to over 60 years of age). Literacy rates truly sustainable. afford basic education for their are low and too many workers are children. Children quit school, take employed in low-skill occupations. Innovative Programs low-paying jobs, marry early and have The distribution of animals and the s Heifer Philippines celebrates its more children, perpetuating the cycle. accompanying training in sustainable A50th Anniversary, many innovative In the ChiLD program, children agricultural practices and natural programs demonstrate that staff and learn entrepreneurial skills as well as resource management, along with the project participants have learned a poultry management. They are given Passing on the Gift requirements, can great deal from their experiences. 24 chickens and trained (along with help improve all areas of community Some of the exciting and sustain- their families) in their care. They are life. At least 20 farmers groups have able program activities that our Study required to pass on 48 chickens (24 to been approved for assistance so far, and Tour’s participants witnessed included: another child or family and 24 back noticeable improvements in various ■Community Animal Health Vol- to the project), and the rest become sustainable practices are evident. unteers (CAHV). Farmers are trained income-generating resources to help to provide basic animal health care pay for their schooling. The goal is A Tour to Remember to others in their community. They to help at least 690 children in 13 hose of us who were privileged support local veterinarians by providing communities in the next fi ve years. Tto participate in the Philippines routine care and maintenance at ■The Southeast Asia Water Moni- Study Tour were moved to tears many considerably less cost in time and toring Program. Described in the Fall times by the warm hospitality and money. At least 34 CAHV training 2003 World Ark, this program involves gentle nature of the Filipino people. programs have produced more than farmers in research to maintain the We were greeted everywhere we went by 700 leaders who serve at least 32,000 quality and quantity of their water. smiling and beautiful people, especially farm families and operate 14 village ■Let’s Help Bohol. This partner- in the projects, where they showered us a nima l dr ug stores. In t he next fi ve years, ship among Heifer, the provincial with gifts and “fed us” in more ways it’s expected that these programs will government of Bohol (in the Visayas), than one. grow to serve at least 330,000 families 19 municipal local government units The generous and kind nature of with more than 5,000 CAHV trained and many farmers groups is helping the Filipino people is evident in their volunteers. A total of 220 local CAHV increase family income, reduce poverty Passing on the Gift programs where chapters and three regional federations and malnutrition and establish sustain- they, based on their own initiative, will be established to facilitate exchang- able farm practices. pass on two (not one) animals for every es of knowledge and experiences. More than 80 percent of the one they receive. They are resourceful ■Children in Livestock Develop- population is below the poverty level, people, and with Heifer’s help, they will ment Program (ChiLD). Since only 4 and more than 60 percent fall into work out their own salvation. www.heifer.org May/June 2004 | WORLD ARK 39 HEIFER BULLETIN|NEWS FROM THE FIELD PHOTO BY HITT WESLEY Program Director Named

North Little Rock Mayor Patrick Hays (from left), Little Rock Mayor Jim Dailey, Heifer Board of Directors Vice Chairman Steve Mondora, Heifer Board of Directors Chairman Charles Stewart, Arkansas Lt. Gov. Win Rockefeller, Heifer President and CEO Jo Luck, former President Bill Clinton, Gertrude Butler and former U.S. Sen. David Pryor break ground with implements from around the world. Heifer Breaks Ground n a beautiful morning last Heifer board, served as master of fall, a magnifi cent pair of ceremonies, and Arkansas Lt. Gov. OBelgian draft horses swept Win Rockefeller spoke. a plow through a patch of Arkansas Clinton noted that his new eifer has hired a new dirt while a crowd of Heifer Interna- neighbor shared his own foun- director for its Mexico tional supporters looked on. dation’s goal of building friendships Hcountry program. Moments later, Heifer President across the globe. “Heifer helps Alejandro Lopez Musalem and CEO Jo Luck, former United people in that half of the world’s comes to Heifer from Gueta States President Bill Clinton population that is living on less AC, a Mexican non-governmen- and other guests dug in using than $2 a day,” he said. “The tal organization that he and implements sent to Little Rock by most important thing we can do his wife founded in Oaxaca in project participants from around the is to give them the ability to help collaboration with the Interna- world. Applause greeted the formal themselves. And to help their tional Society for Ecology and groundbreaking for Heifer’s new family members, their neighbors Culture. Gueta AC was aimed headquarters. and their communities—and that’s at raising awareness of the The Heifer International Center what Heifer does.” importance of local food sys- will be built on a 26-acre tract near Heifer’s new headquarters will tems for the environment and the Arkansas River and the Clinton be a model of environmentally the economy of the Isthmus Presidential Library and Park, which sound design. Both preparation region of Oaxaca. is under construction. of the site and construction of He previously worked for the Special guests at the ceremony the building will become unique International Society for Ecol- included Thurl Metzger of Little examples of sustainable design ogy and Culture in the Unit- Rock, Heifer’s former executive di- and development in Arkansas, ed Kingdom, where he helped rector; Bishop John Rucyahana of demonstrating Heifer’s commitment coordinate efforts by non- Rwanda; Pateka Sonjani, consul to using its resources wisely and governmental organizations general for the minister of foreign responsibly. concerned with local knowl- affairs, Republic of South Africa; The new building, expected to edge and permaculture. and Gertrude Butler, a Little Rock be completed in spring 2005, will He received his master’s philanthropist who has supported enable Heifer to regroup its staff degree from the Center for Heifer for more than 30 years. and save money while creating a Tropical Agricultural Research Former U.S. Sen. David Pryor focal point for hunger education and Teaching. of Arkansas, a member of the in America.

40 May/June 2004 | WORLD ARK www.heifer.org HEIFER BULLETIN|NEWS FROM THE FIELD Lohani Honored Mark Your ing Gyanendra Bir Bikram Shah Dev of Nepal presented Heifer’s Mahendra Calendars KLohani with the Prabal Gorkha Dakshhin Bahu (fourth) medal late last year. his year marks the Lohani, director of Heifer’s Asia-South Pacifi c 60th anniver sary of Programs, was recognized for his contribution to T the founding of Heifer Nepal’s livestock and poultry sector. The medal International, and we have was awarded on Nov. 21, 2003, the king’s birth- several events planned. day, at Narayanhiti Royal Palace in Kathmandu. The Conference on Lohani was Heifer’s country director for Nepal Ending Hunger: Heifer at from 1977 to 2003. 60 will be held in Little Rock Oct. 21-23. As part of the conference, the organization is sponsor- Midwest Region Celebrates ing a symposium, “Small 60th Farmers in a Global Eco- he Midwest Region will celebrate Heifer’s 60th anniversary in Goshen, Ind., June nomy,” scheduled for Oct. 25-27. Kicking off the weekend on Friday afternoon will be a series of educational 21. And on Oct. 23 a gala Tforums to help people understand the social, economic and political context in event will conclude the which Heifer works. conference activities. Friday evening will feature a concert by Ken Medema at the new Goshen College Con- More details on these cert Hall. Saturday’s events at the Elkhart County Fairgrounds include speakers from and other events celebrat- Heifer projects around the world, displays, craft items, children’s programs, a “cowboy” ing 60 years of the work display room, global village exercises and a quilt auction. of Heifer International A banquet Saturday evening at Greencroft Senior Center will honor cowboys who ac- are scheduled to be avail- companied animal shipments following World War II. Invitations have been sent to nearly able on the website 800 former cowboys. Jo Luck, Heifer’s president and CEO, will be the featured speaker. (www.heifer.org) in early Local churches have been encouraged to celebrate Heifer’s work in their worship ser- April, and also will be vices Sunday, June 27. Some church services will feature Heifer International speakers. included in future issues For more information and reservations for the concert or banquet, call (877) of World Ark. 841-7184 or send an e-mail to [email protected].

Stewart Elected Chairman

harles Stewart, senior vice president and corporate director of community development for Regions Financial Corp. in Little Rock, has been elected to lead Cthe board of Heifer International. Stewart has represented a Heifer covenant agency, the African Methodist Episcopal Church, and served as vice chair of the board before being elected to his new post. At Regions, Stewart coordinates, at the corporate level, management of community development and community investment activities in an eight-state region. He has been appointed to many state and federal boards, including the Arkansas State Police Commission, the Federal Small Business Advisory Council and the Advisory Board of the National Institutes of Health in Washington, D.C. www.heifer.org May/June 2004 | WORLD ARK 41 HEIFER FOUNDATION

EndlessBUILDING AN ENDOWMENT GivingFOR THE FUTURE

By Janet K. Ginn, President H EIFER INTERNATIONAL FOUNDATION is available for the purpose you de signate. Following ouldn’t it be great to know that you are some examples. could provide support for those most in need now and continue to MEMORIAL ENDOWMENTS support them after your lifetime? ou can create an ongoing legacy for a loved one HeiferW Foundation endowment gifts allow you to Y by establishing a Memorial Endowment with do just that. By establishing an endowment, you Heifer International Foundation. For a gift of $1,000 can insure that your life and values are preserved or more, an endowment named in memory of your for generations. loved one will be both a continuing source of in- Some endowments honor the memory of loved come to the mission of Heifer International and a ones who have passed away, while some are created reminder of the values by which your loved one lived. as a permanent statement of values by designating how the gifts are used by Heifer to ensure that COUNTRY ENDOWMENTS not only one family but ndividuals or families can establish Endowments to generations share the Ihonor loved ones or set up a family fund. Country benefi t. Yet another Endowments can be designated for a particular kind of endowment can area of Heifer’s work or go directly into the general be designated for use in endowment that supports Heifer’s overall mission. the place closest to your heart. Each year, 100 BIRTHDAY ENDOWMENTS percent of the income Birthday Endowment made in the name of a from the endowments Aperson special to you can be established for a gift of $1,000. The Foundation will invest your endowment gift, and the annual income will be used to send a farm animal to a different family in need each year. Your special person will receive a birthday card each year stating that in his or her honor a needy family will receive Heifer’s help.

HOLIDAY ENDOWMENTS ith a $1,000 Heifer Foundation Holiday Gift WEndowment, your friend or loved one will re- ceive a card annually for the rest of his or her life. “In my mind’s eye, I see a village somewhere where women are More importantly, your endowment will mean the treated better because of Heifer’s gift of an animal to a different family each year. You gender equity work, and I can think of no greater honor to my will receive a charitable income-tax deduction for mother than to have helped to a sizable portion of your gift. make that happen. I think of some “Throughout my life, I have carried the dream of If you would like more information, just return woman I will never meet who gains providing opportunities for young people. The economic independence: This is life income plans that I have with Heifer Foun- the attached form, or go to www.heiferfoundation.org a tribute to my mother’s life.” dation allow me to know that the good things to download a form to establish your own endowment —Marcia Hinz-Hill, shown with her with which God has blessed my life will go to

Marcia Hinz-Hill WiLD Projects Endowment mother provide for others in need, regardless of race, today. religion or color.” —Ethel Hawkins (1911-2004)

42 May/June 2004 | WORLD ARK www.heiferfoundation.org (Please complete and return this reply form.)

2004 DAN WEST Dear Friends at Heifer FELLOW NAMED International Foundation:

Please send me a country endowment catalog. hroughout his life, Heifer founder Dan Please accept my gift to the West maintained a $100 Million Club. deep commitment T I have already provided for Heifer to helping the poor, hungry in my will. and those on the world’s margins. His vision still Please send me a complimentary guides the organization will kit. and speaks to the simplest and most basic principle Please accept my gift to the of charity—helping people ______Endowment. to help themselves. In his honor, Heifer International Name: ______Marvel Lund Foundation established the Dan West Fellow Award to honor those who have given of themselves to help the less fortunate of the world. Address: ______Each year, the Foundation’s Trustee Emeriti choose one outstanding leader to be recognized as a Dan West Fellow. ______The Foundation is honored to announce that the 2004 Dan West Fellow Award winner is Marvel Lund. At a ceremony City: ______earlier this year near her home in Sacramento, Calif., she graciously accepted the award and spoke eloquently of her passion for Heifer’s work around the world. State: ______Zip: ______Lund and her late husband, Harold “Hal” Lund, began their support of Heifer in 1961. Since then, she has served Phone: ______on the Foundation’s Board of Trustees and helped start California’s Sacramento-area Heifer Project Committee, E-mail: ______was instrumental in starting a Christmas giving program in Sacramento-area church congregations, and, most www.heiferfoundation.org recently, Heifer Foundation’s $100 Million Club. After the Foundation’s Board of Trustees set a goal of (888) 422-1161 raising the Foundation’s assets to $100 million by 2010, she and the staff of Heifer Foundation established the club to allow donors to become involved at every level of giving to reach the goal. At the time, proceeds from the Foundation’s endowment contributed approximately $500,000 annually to the work of Heifer International. By achieving $100 million in total Foundation assets, the contribution will amount to roughly $2 million annually. Heifer International and Heifer Foundation are fortunate Mail this form to: to have so many dedicated supporters who give their time and talents to providing a helping hand to those in need. Heifer International Foundation P. O. Box 727 Little Rock, Arkansas 72203 www.heiferfoundation.org May/June 2004 | WORLD ARK 43 REFLECTION|LOVE OVERFLOWING

ecause the kindergarten hoedown Sixty kids and 120 parents join hands in started promptly at 9 a.m. and the middle of the gym. Good-natured adults Bbecause the school bell rings at 8:35, are holding the hands of other adults they parents had 25 minutes between dropping don’t know. The teacher turns up a boom off their kids and seeing them again at the box—something tinny about Farmer Brown big event. who steps to the left, steps to the right, steps Because 25 minutes is not long enough into the center. to check e-mail or make calls with any “Yours is so musical,” says my neighbor. degree of concentration, we wandered over “Yours is so cute,” I say. We don’t know Our to the gym and sat on bleachers moist from each other’s names and are talking about yesterday’s basketball game. Hoops and children we’ve never seen before. The Children, ropes hung from the ceiling. Most of us amount of good will around here is hard to had climbed something like them years ago believe. Ourselves in similar gyms. Back then we were doing In parenthood, the fi rst shock is the chin-ups for President Kennedy to save the physical cost we pay without blinking. The nation when it needed us. We were fi t for bill comes around almost at once. Everything By Elissa Ely our country. Now, whether an improvement we do, through long, feverish nights, is to or not, we are fi t for ourselves. sustain these children who are ours, to Elissa Ely is a psychiatrist The fi rst half of the fi rst year of school prevent their pain when possible and absorb and essayist who lives in was over. Along the way, a wooden cow had transferable heartache when it is not. Social Massachusetts. She is a been milked; pumpkin seeds had been scientists say it is self-promotion—we care frequent contributor to planted and forgotten. The hoedown was for our own in order to guarantee our genes National Public Radio’s the fi nale. It was a kind of graduation and will persevere. Some of us might prefer a “All Things Considered.” the fi rst public appearance of the class as a more tender explanation, though it is bad This essay first appeared single kindergarten organism. form to argue with academics. in the Boston Globe. Kids emerged from the gym doors, full of Then the second shock comes, maybe aerobic song. Film came out. Camcorders. in the middle of a hoedown. It is more Here is my kindergartner—who only generalized. The glow of goodwill begins to wears dresses—in overalls. There is yours spill over; interest extends beyond our own pulling at his cute neckerchief, looking just genes. I fi nd myself admiring the child next as uncomfortable. A ridiculous quantity of to mine, socially at fi rst, but then genuinely. emotion is rising in this moist place. It is the stupidest, most remarkable War is going to break out, recession is realization: Your farmer is as excellent and prominent, but none of that matters for exceptional as mine. That’s surprising, the next few minutes. The child you love since I love mine more than anything in infi nitely (and the child beside him that your the universe, and you feel exactly the same neighbor beside you loves exactly as much) way—and yours does not belong to me or is about to burst into “Oh! Susannah.” mine to you. Their singing is out of key and out of But it makes social sense. The world kilter. It worsens during “Bingo,” when the outside this room full of sweaty adoration farmers begin to lose their concentration. is large and dangerous. After they have But we are mesmerized. The father with fi nished milking their wooden cows and his professional recording equipment turns planting pumpkin seeds in paper cups, it away from the kids and onto the parents. these farmers will fi nd ways of salvaging the He pans across our faces when the head nation. When they do, yours will save mine, teacher asks us to join our children for the and mine will save yours, too. “Circle Dance.” We’re all loopy with love, In the name of self-preservation, we’d clunking heavily down from the rafters. better love them all.

44 May/June 2004 | WORLD ARK www.heifer.org 5th/6th Graders Making A Difference With

from Heifer International

◆ NEW and Standards-based Lessons on Civics, Geography and Economics ◆ Creative Reading Incentive Program ◆ Global Education Highlights the Latin American Culture of Ecuador and Introduces Global Issues ◆ Flexible, Fun and Free

Available Summer 2004! The free packet includes: ◆ Lessons from a Village Called Earth 5th/6th Grade Curriculum ◆ The accompanying story “The Day Papa Came Home” ◆ “The Promise” video ◆ Read to Feed Leader’s Guide ◆ Read to Feed Brochure ◆ Poster ◆ Ecuador Trading Cards ◆ Bookmarks ◆ Real Kids Real Animals Gift Catalog

Also available: Lessons from a Village called Earth 3rd/4th Grade Curriculum

To learn more about Read to Feed, visit www.readtofeed.org. www.heifer.org May/June 2004 | WORLD ARK 45 FIGHT HUNGER AND POVERTY with Heifer International’s Free Resources

Living Gift Animal Crackers Market Guide Faith-based global Step-by-step education for guide to a children, youth successful and adults alternative gift #RAX009 market for Jewish #RLX000 Congregations #RAX000-J

To learn more about Heifer’s work around the world, sign up for our free e-mail newsletter and updates at www.heifer.org.

®

Children Changing the World

Congregation To learn

Resource Catalog more about LEADER’S GUIDE Describes Heifer Heifer’s Read to International Feed® program, resources available visit our web site at to congregations www.readtofeed.org and other groups #RP5002 ®

Call (800) 422-0474 or visit www.heifer.org

RP1054 Printed on recycled paper

Nonprofit Organization U.S. Postage PAID Heifer International Heifer Project International 1015 Louisiana St. Little Rock, AR 72202/USA

Change Service Requested