Tracy's Honduras Study Tour

What an amazing opportunity to see Heifer's real and effective impact in this part of the world! The Heifer Honduras staff provided us with a broad education on the history, politics and economy of the region then introduced us to families who were benefiting from both the living loan of livestock and community training. I especially appreciated that we were able to visit with folks that were at different points in their journey with Heifer. One community had been involved with Heifer for just a year and half, another was months away from project completion (and so proud of what they'd created for themselves!).

Two of the main initiatives of Heifer Honduras are crop diversity and installing eco-stoves to replace the traditional indoor ovens. As we listened to the families we visited, we heard over and over again how much these two changes had improved their lives. The stoves burn hotter with less wood and the smoke is piped outside the house. In this picture you can see the soot covering the ceiling in Arturo's kitchen. His whole family commented on how much their health has improved with the new stove.

The first picture below shows part of the bounty Gregorio shared with us. The coffee and all the fruit came from his land. He proudly walked us through his land and pointed out many of the crops he was cultivating. Besides what you see on the table there were beans, corn, mango, honey, almonds, quite a few medicinal plants, lime trees and many more. He also had a bio-gas unit (last picture) that powered a 2-burner stove in his kitchen and 2 big vermiculture bins. This was a great example of integrated farming!

Heather's Honduras Study Tour

If you've followed the blog at all, you'll know that Tracy and I both got the opportunity to go on Heifer Study Tours for Educators this June. Both of us went to Honduras, but were on separate trips, so we both saw different things. What follows are some thoughts and highlights about my trip.

What a terrific experience! After talking and learning so much about how Heifer does its work, it was so valuable to me to see and hear about it first-hand. Our work in Honduras is so much about community development, on multiple levels. First, offering a method for various small groups/clusters of people to come together to build something sustainable and impactful for their lives. Second, our work with other organizations and the strength and expansion of knowledge, for both Heifer and the other organizations. (Below are some of the members of Fundacion Puca, who's Heifer project is mid-way through funding.)

We saw projects at all stages of connection with Heifer: one was only a year or so old, another was mid-way through and the last would be on its own later this year. Below is a photo of Lila and her terraced hillside. She and her husband farm this land and she is very proud of the hard work they've put in. When we were there, they had recently received their Heifer cow, Preciosa.

What was amazing was not only how excited all were from the benefits to their personal lives, but also how excited they were to share their new knowledge with those around them. Another amazing thing was how thankful they were to us. I and others on my trip felt as though the project partners thought we were personally responsible for giving them their Heifer gifts. In addition to sharing their stories with us, they prepared speeches, poems, songs, and meals for us. At one visit, they even gave us beautiful fresh fruit and eggs to take with us. We were all very humbled by such. Heifer's Cornerstones were alive and present everywhere we went.

Changes for Heifer International

All:
There have been some pretty serious budget cuts at Heifer. You can read their press release regarding such by following this link: http://heifer.mediaroom.com/index.php?s=43&item=34

Over the coming weeks we will be hearing about how this may (or may not) affect what we do here in Arizona. If anything is substantially different, we will let you know.

One other way you can help Heifer is to become a Friend of Heifer. This is an automatic monthly giving program, where the donation is charged monthly to your credit or debit card. You can read about it and also sign up for it here: http://www.heifer.org/site/c.edJRKQNiFiG/b.2613371/

I returned yesterday from my Heifer study tour to Honduras and Tracy started her trip yesterday. We will blog about our experiences after her return, but let me say that these projects need our support more than ever. Heifer does amazing work and really is changing lives. Please help out if you can; no amount is too small.

Summer Slow Down

Now that summer is at our doorstep, it's a quieter time for Heifer Phoenix. Tracy and I will both be going on separate Heifer study tours to Honduras in June. We are looking forward to seeing Heifer's work first hand! We also look forward to sharing our experiences with you, so stay tuned! In the meantime, keep your Heifer Volunteer hats on and never miss an opportunity to educate the folks around you about our work. Consider deepening your knowledge by watching any of the videos on the Heifer website here:

http://www.heifer.org/site/c.edJRKQNiFiG/b.476481/#

It's easy in these hard economic times to cut out charitable giving and in some cases may even be prudent, but we all know that people who rely on charities, as well as charities themselves, need help more than ever. Please keep in mind the billions of people around the world that do not have access to: schools that don't cost money or your children can't attend; public libraries; medical care; food stamps; solid infrastructure; safe water; public housing; unemployment benefits; free legal assistance and so much more. While far from perfect, even in these hard times, we live in a blessed place. As you move through the summer, spread the word about Heifer's work and how vital it is to so many people. Keep an eye on this blog too!

Some Thank You's

Thank you to Gretchen Murnane and Beth Larson-Keagy for (respectively) taking the lead on the events at the Arizona Science Center and ASU's Earth Day event. I know Beth will say her students did it but she coordinated with us and we are grateful for that! Thanks to all the volunteers who gave their time and energy to us both days!

Gilbert Global Village Photos

Our updated table display. Note the new burlap tablecloths, Heifer Hope Honey, and new Q&A cards...(oooohh...ahhhh...)

Our "Haiti Ladies." These women are honorary Heifer volunteers for the help that they have given our busy booth over the years!

Need Volunteers and Passing on the Gift Month

Hello!
We hope you all are well! We have two events that we need volunteer assistance with, both on the same date.

SATURDAY, APRIL 18, 2009
1. Gilbert Global Village Festival - as in the past, this will be in downtown Gilbert. This is always a lively, outdoor event with a lot of opportunities to introduce folks to Heifer. Please consider coming for an hour or two, or more! We can use the help. Email Heather if you're willing.

2. Arizona Science Center's Earth Day Celebration - this is the same event they used to have in August that they called their Global Sustainability Day. (We think this date and new name make much more sense but hate that it now overlaps with Gilbert Global!) :) A lively, indoor event, also with lots of opportunities to introduce folks to Heifer. A unique opportunity to share the ways that we work to care for the environment while also ending hunger and poverty. Please consider coming for an hour or two, or more! Again, your help is needed. Email Heather if you're willing.

APRIL - PASSING ON THE GIFT MONTH
This is the first year of what will become a great Heifer tradition! By now you should've gotten a letter from Heifer, a catalog, an email, or something :) explaining what this is all about. If not, read more by clicking here! Get event ideas, see what else is happening in your area, and check out videos and other resources to help you (help Heifer) be successful. What a great way to kick off Spring! We'd love to hear about your plans (in addition to posting them through Heifer's website)--email Heather!