Peru Project

PERU La Union Integrated Ecological Management Project
23-0238-70

This project will improve the nutrition and income of 540 families of limited means in La Union, Peru. The participants are members of the Association of Organic Crop Growers and the La Union Women’s Federation. Families will receive guinea pigs, chickens, worms, beehives, and alpacas. In addition, dehydrators for medicinal plants will be installed, and basic veterinary medical kits and revolving seed banks will be established.

This project is being sponsored by Russ' Restaurants. We have five other equally worthy projects still looking for sponsors. If your local business is interested, please contact us at heiferhappening@gmail.com.

Russ' Restaurant Sponsors Peru Project!

Russ' Restaurant has always been all about ending hunger and doing so deliciously! We are proud to announce that Russ' will be partnering with us to end hunger not just here in West Michigan but also in Peru.
Thank you, Russ' for your support and community spirit.

Navajo Project

NAVAJO U.S. Genetic Improvement for Scrapies Resistant Sheep
26-0631-02

The Genetic Improvement for Scrapie-Resistant Sheep project is located in a disadvantaged area of the Navajo Nation with over 58 percent of the people living below the poverty line. There is a high high-school drop-out rate and an increasing suicide rate among youths. This project offers an opportunity to 90 FFA members to gain knowledge, new skills and self-esteem by doing applied research that combines aquaculture of Gambusia fish to control the mosquito transmitter of the West Nile virus with five species of pastured poultry to monitor the virus, and have an early detection of the virus in birds at a stage where damage to the sheep, horses and humans can be prevented. This project will also involve the genetic selection of Suffolk sheep with RR genes, which will equip the students with new tools to raise animals resistant to Scrapie and other mosquito-transmitted diseases. It will increase the potential of developing profitable sheep production, enabling them to carry on their native traditions with the training and animals received. This is a new youth project of high importance to Heifer’s Southwest Program because of its social, environmental and economic impact.

This project has been sponsored by BHT and D Financial Group.

Ducks and Geese, but no chicks!

Phyllis Karsina is more than happy to man the ducks and geese table--after we decided a "Fowl" booth was a stinker of an idea and gave the chickens a booth of their own.
Phyllis was introduced to Heifer by her son. After doing some further research, she was impressed with the way that Heifer helps people. Retirement means that Phyllis has some spare time to donate, and Heifer was a natural place to volunteer.
This isn't Phyllis' first stint working at an animal booth. At the 2005 Living Gift Market, she helped out at the rabbit booth. Last year she worked at the Heifer products booth, and this year she wanted to do more. Since working tables at the LGM is a better fit for Phyllis than public speaking, Nancy suggested she keep the minutes of the organizing committee's meetings. Phyllis has been doing a great job of keeping everything straight.
When I asked Phyllis to name her favorite Heifer animal, she had a hard time. "I like all animals except chickens and cannot really say I have a favorite." I guess it's a good thing we separated those birds. We would hate to "fowl up" our relationship with one of our best volunteers.

This year's logo!

Dazzled by the amazing designs Lori Heintz created, it took us a while to choose just one. The votes are finally in, and this is our official logo. All those beautiful, life-saving animals won our hearts. Great Job, Lori!

Our Six Featured Projects!

NAVAJO
Genetic Improvement for Scrapies Resistant Sheep
20-0631-02

GUATEMALA
FUNDAMENO; Food Security Project for Q'eqchi Maya Communities/Alta Vera Paz
23-0102-02

PERU
La Union Integrated Ecological Management Project
23-0238-70

POLAND
Swine Project for the Children of the Eagle's Nest Orphanage in Marwica
27-0634-01

VIETNAM
Promotion of Small Scale Dairy Production in the Mekong Delta
22-0775-07

ZAMBIA
St. Mary's Dairy Youth Dairy Project Phase II
21-0118-02

Change for Kids Challenge

A goat can make a huge difference in the life of a child in a developing country. Any doubt about that can be dispelled by the story of Beatrice Biira, retold in the best-selling, children's book Beatrice's Goat. When Mugisa (their goat) arrived, the family had been struggling just to survive, but after Mugisa they had enough money to send Beatrice to school. Beatrice is now a student at a college in the U.S., and the subject of a recent special on 60 Minutes.
We'd like to challenge West Michigan's children to save enough change to purchase a goat, so that another girl or boy can benefit in the same way Beatrice has. Local churches and schools can get involved by requesting Ark banks and calendars that will help the children save their change. Children will then bring their banks to the Living Gift Market, and we'll keep track to see which organization brought in the most change to make the biggest difference.
To get your organization in on the act, contact us through our email address--heiferhappening@gmail.com