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July/August 2011
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Dear Heifer Friend,
With the close of summer, the pace of life often picks up, so we appreciate you taking the time to catch up on Heifer's work around the world. I'm excited to share with you some compelling stories of hope and transformation, some of which I witnessed firsthand while visiting Africa.
Having spent part of my childhood in Nairobi, Kenya, I'm always delighted to return and see what has changed. Yes, there is still poverty, hunger and sickness. But when I visited Heifer projects there in December, the differences were clear.
While visiting participants in the East Africa Dairy Development Project (EADD), I heard people bantering about balance sheets, converting equity and cash flows. This sophisticated business acumen, learned largely through Heifer trainings, is helping participants climb the ladder out of poverty. Made possible through a $42.8 million grant from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, this project is helping 180,000 farmers in Rwanda, Uganda and Kenya.
One of those people is Agnew Luweesi of Bubusi, Uganda. This petite dynamo runs a milk collection business and serves as the treasurer of the Kinyogoga Livestock Farmers' Cooperative Society. Another is Dr. Mutesasira Posious, the cooperative's agro-vet. Both Luweesi and Posious are taking full advantage of the opportunities offered by EADD to boost their own incomes and help their neighbors do the same.
You can read more about my visit to this exciting project and hear from the project's Regional Director in the feature article this month.
I look forward to sharing stories like these in this monthly newsletter. And if you have any ideas about how we can do more to end hunger and poverty, please send them to me. I look forward to hearing from you!
Sincerely,
CEO Pierre U. Ferrari
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 The East Africa Dairy Development Project, financed by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, is helping farmers and small business people boost production and maximize profits. This joint project between national governments, Heifer and other NGOs is directly benefiting 180,000 dairy farmers and a total of 1,000,000 people. Read more or listen to a USAID webinar with Moses Nyabila, Heifer's regional director for the project.
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 The Mendez family of 10 lives in Guatemala, where they farm 3.2 acres and raise chickens and a cow. The family makes the most of every inch of land to grow corn, beans, vegetables, coffee and trees -- sometimes in creative ways. See how the Mendezes use old tires as planters for vegetables. Maybe you'll get some ideas for your own backyard garden.
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 In Tilling Village in Uganda, Charles Opolot and Hellen Adek are making incredible use of their Heifer-given oxen to boost yields of maize, cassava, millet, groundnuts and sorghum. The only problem is keeping the harvest fresh until it can be eaten. Learn about how the family is dealing with their newfound abundance.
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 Many Heifer animals live in shelters that keep them safe from disease and predators, while also keeping the animals from harming crops and vegetation. It's an interesting approach that's garnered recognition in many of the countries where Heifer works. This easy-to-understand graphic gives you insight into zero-grazing and how it benefits the animal, the family and the environment.
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 Thank you! Many of our supporters have been inspired by the Honduras challenge -- to the tune of over $1,000,000. To those who've given, thank you. If you haven't, there's still a chance to get your gift matched. Watch this short video to understand the impact of your gifts on the lives of struggling families trying to sustain their families in harsh conditions in Honduras. Thanks for stepping up to this challenge. Together, we're helping transform communities!
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 Heifer International is well-known for great education opportunities for children, from our award-winning field trips to our national standards-based curricula. But did you know that we offer transformative programming for adults, too? Site-based programs include agricultural workshops and retreats like Women's Lambing events; and Heifer U, a fun, extended weekend program offered on a variety of topics. These options, along with community-based education, speakers and volunteer opportunities in many locations, give like-minded people plenty of opportunities to engage with Heifer.
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