Did you ever wonder how many starving people there are in the world? There are millions of people out there without any food. Heifer International is one of the many charities trying to prevent world hunger. It is based on the belief that the best way to end hunger it by giving people the means to feed themselves.

Heifer International was founded by Dan West. It was the 1930’s and a civil war was going on in Spain. Dan was ladling cups of milk out to hungry children on either side of the war when he realized that the families needed not a cup of milk, but a cow so they could have milk whenever they needed it. He requested that his friends back home donate a heifer (a cow in her youth that hasn’t had a calf yet). That way, families who lacked food could feed themselves. When the heifer has calves, the families return the gift by giving another family in their village a female calf. How cool is that? By using this method of sharing, the charity will continue for a long time and will help stop a lot of world hunger. Every family and community that receives an animal also gets training in agriculture (growing food).

Heifer International doesn’t only give people heifers, like you would think. Heifer International also gives away many other animals such as goats and pigs. As of 2004, you could donate a sheep for $120.00, three rabbits for $60.00, a flock of chickens for $20.00, honey bees for $30.00, a llama for $150.00, or a water buffalo for $250.00. The people who receive the animal don’t have to pay for it. The cost listed above is the amount you need to raise and donate to buy the animal for the needy people.

Heifer International’s current project is in Albania, where people have fled to escape from Kosovo. Three hundred fifty thousand people were forced to leave and most of them chose to go to Albania.

This is the story of a person who had nine people from Kosovo come to live with him. His family already consisted of eight, but he had enough heart to let nine more people into his house. The person had three cows, two Albanian cows that did not produce much milk and one cow from Heifer International that produced about 23 liters a day. The person said the reason he decided to invite the refugees in, when he was so poor himself, was because he had four children himself and could not stand to see the refugees and their children out there with no home. What really touched him was that Heifer International gave him a cow without having a clue who he was.

That is such a touching story. Too bad it is true. Wouldn’t it be wonderful if there was no world hunger? Well, you can help make it that way. Go to Heifer International to learn more and to find out how you can help. Have fun helping to end world hunger! You won't regret it!

Citations

Web Sites

Heifer International Foundation. "Heifer International "
<http://www.heifer.org> (January, 2004).

Images

Images of cow, water buffalo, and mud house  from "Clip Art Gallery"  Images free for non-profit and personal use. (October-February, 2003-2004). 

Glossary

Fled: The past tense of flee; to leave a place. Return

Lacked: In short supply of a thing. Return

Refugees: People forced to flee their homes that are now living in another country. Return

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