For more than fiftyyears, the organization Heifer International has been fighting poverty andhunger by giving people livestock. Spokesman Ray White says its mission is toend hunger by getting people the tools and resources to feed themselves.
The foundation says 9.2 million families in morethan 125 countries have received gifts of livestock and have been trained in effectiveagricultural techniques. Families that receive the livestock are encouraged toshare the animal's offspring with other families.
White says his organization recognizes the roleof women in developing countries and one of Heifer's main goals is to promotegender equality by empowering women. One way to do that is to give the heiferto the woman, who uses it to benefit her family and the community.
"It is a social justice and human rights issuethat directly leads to ending hunger and poverty," he says. It also levels thefield in societies that are polarized between the rich and poor. Women aregiven the power to control the livestock, thus making them income earners anddecision makers. When there are few resources, only boys are sent to school.Mr. White says that in the communities that have received livestock, there hasbeen an increase in school enrollment by girls.
Heifer also trains community members to takecontrol of their projects and the resources that come from this new wealth."They learn how to protect their natural resources?and manage income that comesfrom the livestock," White says.
He also notes that Heifer International's AfricaArea Program has made great strides during the last decade in addressingHIV/AIDS. White says families have an opportunity to stay together, live longerand healthier lives and give project partners a chance for dignity and asustainable future.