The Global Food Gap OVERCOMING SCARCITY BY LESTER R. BROWN JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2005 VOLUNTEERS ARMENIA OF THE YEAR ORPHANS FIND RECOGNIZING HEIFER’S HELPERS HOMES AND HOPE HORIZONS|IN PRAISE OF LOVE Dear outh Africans take very seri- er animal’s offspring is passed on to ously the introductions of all another family in need. Many of those Friends … the offi cials and other digni- attending knew the name of Heifer taries at an event of any kind. founder Dan West and that we look to By Jo Luck “IntroductionsS are important because our Cornerstones for guidance. Project President and CEO they are a form of honoring people,” participants said things like “This proj- they say. ect is succeeding where so many others Last year, about 500 people, includ- have failed,” or “The work of Heifer has Together we make ing government offi cials, representa- changed our lives.” a team that tives of local councils and royalty (the Readers of this magazine will be traditional rulers who inherit their roles familiar with these sentiments, but can help solve as tribal chiefs) gathered in a stadium every time I or other Heifer staff problems many at a “Passing on the Gift” ceremony. It members visit a project, we are renewed people think can’t took place in a village near Pietersburg, when we hear them fi rsthand. We are be overcome— in the northeastern part of the country. refreshed to see the way communities The introductions alone took an hour are changing, growing in self-reliance, hunger, poverty and a half. Some of the chiefs had their through the simple gift of livestock and and damage own “praise poets,” people assigned to training. to the Earth. sing a song of praise or recite a poem This renewal works both ways. Per- after the introduction of the chief. haps one of the most important things Every issue of World Ark contains a that we do, what your support allows us letter from me, the president and to do, is to show our love and concern CEO of Heifer International. It’s for our project participants and our my way of introducing myself to confi dence that they are able, through you, the readers. And while hav- their own hard work, to improve their ing one’s own praise poet might lives and those of their neighbors. be gratifying, I think it’s more im- Many people in South Africa have portant to sing the praises of Heif- adopted Heifer International as a er International’s project partici- South African movement. They share pants and of you, our support- our vision of a world without hunger, ers. Together we make a team of a planet revered and cared for by its that can help solve problems inhabitants. many people think can’t be The people Heifer helps, wherever overcome—hunger, poverty they live, know that other people and damage to the Earth. around the world—you—support and How do I know we can? stand behind our work. They know Because we do, every single that we are passing on to them the gift day. of your Caring and Sharing, another At this same celebration, of our Cornerstones. the local chiefs were all And so in this letter I serve as familiar with Heifer. They a praise poet for you and for all the all loved the idea of Pass- people who participate in our projects, ing on the Gift, one of our I sing about this beautiful cycle, this 12 Cornerstones, in which perfect circle of love. Thank you, and one or more of a Heif- may the circle grow. Poland United States Armenia New York China Thailand Mekong PREVIEWWhatever your belief is ... your God asks Uganda WORLD ARK JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2005 “you to feed the hungry, clothe the naked and shelter the homeless. We’re all in this together, so let’s get on with it. —Peter Ireton, general secretary of Bóthar” 6 28 25 The Global Food Gap: “Hope Brings Success” 28 Overcoming Scarcity 6 By Darcy Kiefel By Lester R. Brown Two Armenian orphans, both raised in institutions, Falling grain stocks and rising grain prices may signal a new era in the fi nd each other, marry, adopt a child and, with Heifer world food economy, one dominated not by surpluses but by scarcity. International’s help, build a new life. Create a Lasting Legacy 42 2004 Heifer International A bequest to Heifer Foundation makes a tremendous Volunteers of the Year 16 and ongoing difference in the lives of those who need By Barbara Justus a helping hand to provide for themselves and We acknowledge some of Heifer International’s most dedicated their families. volunteers, people who have committed themselves to sweeping the world free of poverty and hunger. Cover: Girls play in rice paddies in the Philippines. Photo by Darcy Kiefel The 2004 Hilton Humanitarian Prize 20 Heifer International receives the 2004 $1 million Conrad N. Hilton DEPARTMENTS Humanitarian Prize, the world’s largest humanitarian award, and Jo Luck, president and CEO of Heifer, refl ects on how Heifer’s project Letters/Feedback From Our Readers 2 participants have demonstrated “the success of simplicity.” For the Record 4 Heifer at 60: A Promise Heifer Bulletin 32 to Help Millions 25 Mixed Media 36 By Scott Morris The Heifer Calendar 40 Heifer International’s 60th Anniversary celebration and conference Travel With a Purpose on ending hunger culminates in a bold promise to expand Heifer’s 41 work on behalf of the poor. Reflection “Breaking Bread” by Elizabeth Mayang Elango 44 www.heifer.org January/February 2005 | WORLD ARK 1 LETTERS|FEEDBACK FROM OUR READERS Happy Coincidence newed our commitment to grants, the very poor and love teaching them about We were recently visiting your fine work in the world. somewhat uneducated Heifer. We need more pos- our daughter’s host family Mary O’Leary families. I want to let you itive thoughts in our world, in the Miraflor Nature Re- Kansas City, Mo. know that I love sharing Be- and Heifer helps people serve in Nicaragua. As we E-mail atrice’s Goat with my class feel them. were touring the farm and at Christmas time! [The Judy Klein learning about the fami- bestselling children’s book Linden, Calif. ly’s life, my daughter asked Kudos tells the true story of Bea- E-mail where their cow came from. Just finished reading the trice Biira, a Ugandan girl Imagine our delight when September/October World who was able to attend her host mom told us it was Ark. Excellent. I read and school because of the in- Editor’s Note: The following from Heifer International! enjoyed every article and come generated by a Heifer readers responded to the She described the positive came away with new knowl- International goat.] “Q&A” published in the Sep- experience of working with edge and even some sug- The children get to see tember/October World Ark, Heifer to find the right ani- gested books for my read- what wonderful things can which asked, “Are small mal and how happy she is ing list. Thanks. be given to others who are farms worth saving?” with their cow. It has had a Jean Morley even worse off than they calf and now they have milk Fort Bragg, Calif. are. After we read and dis- for their family. Of course, cuss Beatrice’s Goat, I pass Yes, Defi nitely they are “Passing on the around two or three of the Since the beginning of time, Gift.” Positive Thoughts Heifer International gift cat- man has revered the Earth, It was wonderful to hap- I am a teacher of second alogs that I have collected its sustenance and its sus- pen upon a Heifer Interna- grade students. Our com- over the years. The kids are tainability. When we have tional recipient, and it re- munity is one of immi- really impressed, and I do reverence for the Earth and its life-giving produce, our reverence for the plan- et itself extends as to how best we can sustain its goodness for future gener- ations. Destroying small farms is leading us to desecration of the Earth. Conquering nature in order to survive, as high-tech farming in- sists, will undoubtedly lead to self-destruction. Poison- ing the air, water and land will not make us a better- fed, healthier nation. We must backtrack and look to the ancient people who revered the summer and winter solstices. Incas worked within the balance of nature and felt the sun to be the giver of life. In 2 January/February 2005 | WORLD ARK www.heifer.org are the caretakers of envi- leave people hungry again? ronmental resources. Let’s Justine Hansen PRESIDENT/CEO keep it that way. Carmel, Calif. Jo Luck Kathleen Long E-mail Boise, Idaho 1015 Louisiana St. What About Diversity? Little Rock, AR/USA 72202 An Idea for Export I am concerned for the mi- E-mail: [email protected] The article was disturbing. nority, poor farmer. With so What disturbs me more many large farms, small PUBLISHER are the farm subsidies in farmers will get squeezed Tom Peterson the Midwest that feed cor- out. These often provide di- COMMUNICATIONS porate farms more than versity in crops. Do we want DIRECTOR anyone else. to enjoy only a few types of Michael Haddigan their culture, life required It would make sense products or many? EDITOR order, working in harmony (not politically, I’m afraid) if Polly Riddle Jan Cottingham with the seasons and na- the subsidized lands were Warminster, Pa.