Heifer International

At Heifer International we believe that a world beyond hunger and poverty IS possible, and we are working to make it so through sustainable agriculture.

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Heifer Nepal is working with local cooperatives and government to bring food, water and other necessities to families that have been cut off by severe flooding. With 80% of Nepal’s southern agricultural belt under water, many communities are still extremely difficult to reach. 

In addition to the houses that have been destroyed, thousands of livestock have been washed away in the flood waters. These livestock losses coupled with the crop loss is threatening to cause a serious food shortage in the South Asian nation. Stay tuned to World Ark Blog for updates from our staff in the field and to learn how you can help families affected by this disaster. 

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More than 15,000 Heifer families have been affected by devastating floods in Nepal. Monsoon rains have swamped farm fields, sweeping away thousands of livestock and displacing families. According to Heifer Nepal staff, the disaster has struck at one of the worst times in southern Nepal, shortly after farmers in the country’s most important agricultural region had planted their rice crops. We are working on the ground to provide assistance to families and to assess the damage. Stay tuned to the World Ark Blog for updates and for info on how you can help the men, women and children who have lost their homes.

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When we grow corn, there’s no lack of food for the whole year.

Carlos Vargas, Nicaragua

Carlos and his family are one of 1000 farmers in Nicaragua’s Dry Coridoor who are working with Heifer International to learn new climate-smart methods of farming.  Read more about the Vargas family in World Ark Magazine. 

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In Andong Chros, Cambodia, household chores are viewed as "women's work" but farmer Soy Phe doesn't see it that way. He takes it upon himself to help his wife, Houl Kimsrean, with cooking, cleaning, and laundry. 

“You know you have a happy family when the wife and husband are working together. We have to respect each other.” - Soy Phe

In early 2013, Soy and Houl joined a Heifer International program and received training in gender equality. These trainings inspired Soy to recalibrate his views on women and speak out against a common problem in his community: domestic violence. Now, he volunteers as a peer educator in his village and spends time each day discussing gender roles and inequality with his neighbors. 

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In this photo of the week, Nixon Josue (6) demonstrates his expert hen-handling skills! He lives with his family in San Jose Village, Ecuador. 

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In the Berabari Sadhupera village of Bangladesh, Bina Begum gives a goat to Renuka Begum (L) during a Passing on the Gift Ceremony. 

Did you know? Farmers who receive livestock from Heifer International pledge to give the first-born female offspring of their herd to a member of their community along with training in the animal's care. In this way, entire communities can lift themselves out of poverty through one Heifer project. 

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In Guatemala, quality-control experts Domingo, Juan and Antonio test their family's latest honey harvest!

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In rural or remote areas, dairy farmers struggle to transport milk to markets before it spoils. Local chilling facilities allow milk to be safely stored so that it can be sold at a later time or shipped to larger markets.   

In this photo, farmer Sara Majuriu (43) is taking fresh cow’s milk to the chilling facility near her home in Zambia’s Copperbelt Province.

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April 25th marked one year since a 7.8-magnitude earthquake struck Nepal. It was the largest temblor felt there in 80 years, and affected tens of thousands of our project participants. Heifer reporter Annie Bergman visited project participants almost one year after the devastating earthquake struck; these are a few of the stories she heard.

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Providing access to fresh water is essential in helping people build sustainable livelihoods. This World Water Day, take a look at this video from @united-nations to see just how much water and jobs go hand in hand. 

[heiferinternational]

There is still a gap between women and full equality that experts predict will take more than 100 years to close. In honor of International Women’s Day, We’re taking a moment to focus on how we’re working with women around the world to narrow this gender gap. 

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After escaping an abusive marriage, Sofia (front) spent 8 years homeless. Through a Heifer project, she was able to build a new home with the help of her community. She also joined a local women’s group where she was told, for the first time, that she had value. Sofia explained, “An empowered woman is one who listens to her own heart first. That is where empowerment begins.”

Stay tuned to the World Ark Blog to hear more from Sofia and to hear stories of other awesome women that are involved in Heifer projects.

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Overcoming poverty is not a gesture of charity. It is an act of justice. It is the protection of a fundamental human right, the right to dignity and a decent life.

Nelson Mandela, from Notes to the Future (via bibliochor)

[heiferinternational]

In addition to trainings in agriculture and livestock management, Heifer also provides business trainings to farmers so that they can create sustainable income for themselves in local markets. 

Here, Lanie takes frozen milkbars to market near her home in The Philippines. She makes these treats using milk from her own cows. 

[heiferinternational]

Are you wanting to express your love this Valentine’s Day, but feeling weird about being cliché or consumeristic? We've got a modest proposal: donate farm animals in honor of your special someone. 

                                          Hang on–stay with us!

Is a Heifer gift unconventional for Valentine’s Day? Yes.  Weird, even? Maybe. But 79% of Americans have said they would rather have a charitable gift given in their name than receive something material, so we contend that this is one of those it’s-so-crazy-it-just-might-work occasions!

If you’re feeling a little counter-cultural this February 14th, head over to the World Ark Blog for the full version of our unconventional Valentine’s Gift Guide in all its gify glory.  

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In this Valentine’s photo of the week, one of the family goats shows Margirita (8) a little love with a kiss on the cheek. 

Honey, coffee, and cocoa producers across Mesoamerica are plagued by food insecurity. Our aim is to help families (like Margirita’s) diversify their crops and access fair markets for their harvests so that they no longer fall victim to the ‘thin months.” 

The PROMESA coffee and cocoa program is one of dozens of Heifer programs around the world. See a full list of our active programs here!

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Today, women globally earn less, have fewer assets, bear the burden of unpaid work and care and are largely concentrated in vulnerable and low-paying activities. To address these issues, the United Nations Secretary-General has appointed a new High-Level Panel on Women’s Economic Empowerment. Learn more: http://owl.li/X47Pk

[heiferinternational]

As UK International Development Secretary Justine Greening said: 

“Investing in girls and women isn’t just about basic human rights, it’s about fully unlocking the potential of half the world’s population.” 

We couldn’t agree more. This panel is the first of its kind and is aimed at closing the economic gender gap that exists throughout the world. A great step!