Rebuild lives through animals!

Today, the focus is going to be on Heifer International. This is an organization I am very passionate about. I have been donating to them since middle school. Instead of purchasing gifts one Christmas, our family bought each other chicks, rabbits, and trees. that was my first experience giving for charity and it felt really great. My grandparents are farmers and there have been farmers in our family for generations. To give someone a gift that can support them and their family, it was a measurable amazing concept to me.

I remember hearing how the founder came up with the idea. Apparently while he was giving out food aid, he thought these people need a cow not milk. He later did exactly that and Heifer International was born. I thought it was brilliant, because it gave people livelihood instead of just food for another week. In addition they have other policies which i respect; recipients pass on offspring to others in their community, focusing on gender equity in the communities they work in, and focusing on creating a more sustainable future. I hope you approve and here is a bit more info if you are interested:

"With Heifer’s proven approach – more than 65 years in the making – to helping people obtain a sustainable source of food and income.
Cornerstones guide our efforts to end world  hunger and care for the earth.
Long-Term Solutions emphasizing community involvement distinguish our work from that of global relief organizations.
“Passing on the Gift” means recipients agree to share the offspring of gift animals with others in need, making them equal partners with Heifer in the fight to end world hunger.
Environment and Sustainable Development is taught to our project recipients to help them achieve sustainable agricultural production. Animal Well-Being guidelines are strictly reinforced with professional veterinary training staff.
Disaster Rehabilitation, with long-term, sustainable development the goal of Heifer's rehabilitation projects."

Here is their charity navigator score.