“These children don't
need a cup, they need a cow.”
-Dan West
An estimate 854 million people across
the world are hungry, two million more than last year. In a world
where hunger is growing at an unquenchable pace, it is not enough to
just relieve hunger, we need to find ways to change the systemic
problems that cause hunger. Heifer International is a non-profit
organization active in 125 different countries which works with
communities to end hunger and poverty and to care for the earth. The
way that Heifer does this is unique. Heifer seeks to provide
practical development that will create lasting changes in the
community. It offers “a hand up rather than a hand out” thus
empowering people to create lasting changes in their communities. It
accomplishes this through a joint effort of education, community
organizing, and sustainable development.
Its origins trace back to the Spanish
Civil War when Dan West, a relief worker from the Midwest, realized
that hunger could never be eliminated by handouts. He coined the
phrase, “These children don't need a cup, they need a cow”. This
is the understanding with which Heifer functions. A glass of milk is
gone in less than a day, a cow will feed a family, produce offspring
that can be shared with neighboring families, and eventually alter
the systems that cause hunger within the community. Heifer
transforms communities by offering practical, sustainable, sources of
livelihood that are kind to the environment. Families who are
offered a Heifer gift (heifer, sheep, llama, goat, water buffalo,
chicken, ducks, geese, rabbits, honeybees, pig, tree, seeds etc.)
pass on the gift by giving away offspring of the animals or seeds
from the plant. Through these efforts families are given both the
skills and resource necessary to sustain their families as well as
empower real change within their larger community through continued
giving.
Because education is a main emphasis
of Heifer's philosophy, Heifer International founded three learning
centers in the United States to educate people about hunger, poverty,
and sustainable development. The largest learning center, Heifer
Ranch, is located in Perryville Arkansas. These learning centers
offer a Summer Action Program for youth 12 years old and older. The
program lasts 5 days. The learning centers focus on experiential
learning that bring awareness to the causes of hunger and poverty.
Heifer Ranch is home to the original Global Village a five acre
simulated community modeled after 3rd world countries
across the world. While in the simulation students are confronted
with the realities of poverty. By lottery each participant is
assigned to a home or refugee camp. When in the simulation
participants attempt to provide for themselves and their family on
very limited resources, communicate with neighbors and barter for
resources, prepare meals, as well as live and work with simulated
“handicaps”. During the day participants work on the ranch,
participate in learning activities, and debrief their experiences.
Participant learn in a hands on way that the solution to poverty lies
in systemic, sustainable, development. All this is done in a manner
that encourages stewardship toward our earth.
To learn more about Heifer International or to make a donation to its efforts see its website.
Report on the Youth Trip
to the Heifer Ranch
After a several months of fundraising
and planning eleven youth and three adults traveled to the Heifer
Ranch to participate in the Summer Action Program. These youth and
adults braved the heat and humidity of an Arkansas summer to serve,
learn, and grow. They worked along side youth from Ohio, West
Virginia, Indiana, and Texas to learn about hungers causes and
solutions. Each day youth worked on the farm. They took care of
the livestock and tended to the organic garden. They also
participate in work projects that help the Heifer Ranch remain in
good condition. Several youth trimmed trees and did maintenance work
on several of Heifer's many fences. They also took classes that
taught about caring for the earth, sustainable development, simple
industry, and cultural connections.
Every youth and adult had the
opportunity to participated in the Global Village, a five acre
simulation that teaches about poverty and poverty related issues.
The village that we were in simulates living conditions in
Appalachia, Zambia, Guatemala, Thailand, the Urban Slums, and the
Refugee Camp. Youth make all decisions and do all bartering while in
the village. Adults assume the role of either an elder or a toddler.
Through lottery Christ Lutheran was assigned to Zambia and the Urban
Slums. Our youth had to deal with limited resources, poverty related
illnesses, as well as the realities of challenging weather
conditions. It rained while we were in the Global Village which made
cooking over an open fire a difficult task. Time in the Global
Village is both challenging and rewarding.
Our youth participate in team building
activities. They did trust falls and several other low rope
activities that taught about hunger and strengthened our ability to
function as a group. Many
of them also participated in high rope activities, braving a 40-foot
climbing wall to
descend the high challenge by way of a 300 foot zipline.
Throughout
these many experiences our youth served and learned enthusiastically
and with great integrity. They challenged themselves to learn and
grow, displaying great maturity and heart. They also laughed and
truly enjoyed each others company. Their experiences and stories
will be a great benefit to all those who could not attend as we
continue to explore the dynamics of hunger through our summer
curriculum. In the coming month the youth will be presenting their
trip to the congregation.
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