Years ago, before the advent of all of the current social media platforms became the rage; I chose Heifer as my go to charity. It was total serendipity as I was not looking for them at all and yet; I received the most interesting catalog I'd ever seen: World Ark. As I went through each page and saw all of the work and the countries they served and as I studied it more; I came to realize this wasn't just your average charity. You know; the ones that are "give it to the poor because they need help?" Not that I am knocking those charities. I found that not only was Heifer doing that but they were teaching people in villages and at their base camp on how to sustain themselves: The Teach a Man to Fish Way. Not only that, it was nearing Christmas and I had no idea what to get my friends that year so long ago. They had everything and then some. I asked myself, "What in the world can I get them? They have it all already?" Then I turned the page of World Ark and saw their program to purchase animals in a person's name in lieu of gifts. I had my list of who already had everything. You know--the people who are just hard to buy for.... I started small with a flock of chicks in Peru. I knew the power of their pay it forward program for the recipient and that it worked. I kept going. I was determined to put people's name and impact in as many countries as I could. Some I did anonymously and others received their "Surprise! Here's what you did in Peru!" Card. I kept going. I told my students about it. They created a "Challenge Team Board" (that was so cool back then). Heifer is more than a handout-it's a hand up into a better way of living and community. If you saw the TedX speech or even if you remember Oprah Winfrey's "Save our Children" efforts and school--perhaps you will be inspired to give back too. All you need is one person, one reason, one decision and one word coupled with a YES to keep going and often that person is you! Hats off to Heifer International from a now "big girl" who had no idea what to buy the wealthy or hard to shop for during the holidays over a decade ago! To see the "It is achievable" video click here after you read the link above in the header: Forgotten Women and Girls: The Power of Adversity: (Heifer and the Let Girls Learn and Rise Edition-Filmed in San Diego, California) http://youtu.be/2n2DXFhwTE4
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