Heifer International

[Rebe]

Does anyone contribute to this organization? It seems legit (as in, they don't waste contributions and they really do what they say they're going to do with the money -- and it truly helps people). I've looked at the catalog for years and I talked to my family last night about making this the year that we cut back and instead use some money to give to a good cause. I like the idea behind this organization. Just wanting some testimonies yea or nay whether it's worthwhile.

[Hollie in SC]

I'm pretty sure my mil gives to them, but haven't heard of their reputation. :unsure:

We sponsor projects through World Vision (http://www.worldvision.org/content.nsf/give/ways-to-give). I've heard very good things about them. My boys love to look through their catalog and decide how we as a family can help people. :hcry: Which is certainly better than all of the toy catalogs (a.k.a. seeds of discontent) that they usually look through.

[Suz MamaFrog]

The church we went to when xdh and I were together was involved with them every year. They would send letters and videos of "satisfied customers" - people they had helped - as a way of both saying "thank you" and as a way of garnering additional support for their programs. I like several things about them:

1.) You can truly participate as a family unit. The advent calendar project is perfect for families of all ages and sizes.

2.) They help families right here in the good ol' USA. If you live in one of the states where they have projects going on, like we do, your contributions may really be helping the guy up the road or across the street.

3.) They don't give a hand out. They give a handup. They help people OUT of their bad situations, not just serve as another source of dependence or temporary aid.

4.) They've officially been around since 1953, so they've stood the test of time.

We've enjoyed being involved with them for years and will continue to do so gladly!

HTH!
Suz

[Angela Rose]

We've personally donated to them before and have been pleased. A couple of years ago, my husband and I bought a cow and then gave the certificate to our parents as their gift. We did some research, although I can't remember it all, they are a legitimate organization and really give people to the tools to better their life and feed their family.

We have also given/bought from "Samaritan's Purse." This organization is similar and run by Billy Graham's son. They have an awesome catalog as well, although my husband has forbid me to look at the catalog this year while I am pregnant, I just end up crying through the entire thing.

[Jo in PRC]

We used to contribute to Heifer International and still work closely with some of their folks. Great organization! We also partner in some of our projects with Samaritan's Purse and give them great reviews as well.

When we lived in the States, I would try to give a little gift to match the donation and we tried to think of things people that people were passionate about. For example, my mom had mentioned several times that she'd always wanted a goat, but realized they were too much trouble for our farm. So we "bought" a goat through Heifer and then I gave her a small plastic goat with the card telling about the donation. We purchased an orange tree once in my dad's name and I gave him a chocolate orange along with the card telling about the people that gift was helping.

Hope that helps. ~Jo

[Rebe]

Thanks, everyone. I requested a World Vision catalog and I got a Samaritan's Purse catalog in the mail today. ;) Seems like there are several of these types of organizations to contribute to -- now, how to decide which? :spin:

My dc are excited about it.

[Suz MamaFrog]

Rebe,

One word of caution re: Samaritan's Purse - They require recipients to attend evangelical services, even if they are already Christian. There were problems with this group in South America a few years ago because they were proselytizing Catholic chidlren after an earthquake. In order to recieve their Operation Shoebox Christmas gifts, the kids had to attend SP services, even though they regularly attended Mass. It caused a lot of friction within the community and with the US churches supporting those parishes. This has happened in parts of Europe and Africa, too. Our church and many in our community won't deal with them or support them because of these practices. They may no longer be doing this - I haven't kept up with them.....Hopefully, they've changed their ways......

Blessings!
Suz

[Robin in Colorado]

We give regularly to Heifer International. It is a wonderful organization. For those hs families who live in Arkansas, you can take a field trip to their farm...

I love about them that they not only help people, but they teach the folks to help themselves. So, it's not a one-time gift but a gift that is life long. AND - if that wasn't enough, the folks then go on to help other people. They call it 'passing on the gift.' A person who receives bees, for example, would learn how to care for the bees, how to run a bee business, etc. and then when they are successful, they give someone else the gift of bees and mentor them in starting a bee business. Then that person passes on the gift, and so on.

Also, Heifer's program doesn't just help one person or family, but the whole village. For example, if one person or family raises bees in the village, it helps all the farmers and gardeners because the pollination will increase crop yield.

ETA - Heifer's programs help folks world wide, including here in the US.

[ShaunaCO]

Heifer is a wonderful organization! You might also want to check out their site for educators (http://www.heifereducation.org/site/c.lwL0KlN1LvH/b.3993181/k.A535/Heifer_Education_website_Download_free_lesson_plan s_and_free_educational_resources.htm).

[Rebe]

Thanks for the additional info. There are lots of things I liked about Heifer -- the fact that it's only (or mostly) animals makes it very uncomplicated, which I like. I just have the feeling that the money goes where it's supposed to when it's kept simple. Also I love the "teaching another" concept that they use. I had no idea they even helped those in the U.S., or that you could visit them in Arkansas.

Suz, I understand what you're saying about SP (even though I'm very active with Operation Christmas Child and love that program). I have debated going with a Christian vs. non-Christian organization for this very reason.

[Jo in PRC]

Suz,
Wow, that's not at all what Samaritan's is like here. I wonder if that's a regional thing or dependent on the particular people involved? Definitely not part of our experience.

[Cori~OR]

I recently heard about Heifer International from a friend, then we got a catalog. I am very impressed. I love the whole idea of sustainability. Incredible. In the catalog many famous people said they support them including Walter Cronkite. I'm seriously considering this for our Christmas budget and will be talking to my hubby about.

[hollyjean]

I got the catalog too...in the past I have also gotten the world vision catalog. Does anyone know of any differences between the two groups?
thanks

[Suz MamaFrog]

Hollyjean,

World Vision is involved in many more types of programs than HI. HI focuses on ending hunger and poverty by providing families and individuals with animals and seeds and then teaching them how to develop sustainable agriculture. By doing so, the families are provided with a food source, and a source of income. When the individual families thrive, the entire community grows and thrives, too.

World Vision is involved in direct hunger relief - providing food. They are involved in agricultural projects - providing seeds, water, tools, etc. They are involved in education programs - training midwives, schools for children, training teachers, etc. They are involved in community growth projects - irrigation systems, health clinics, etc. Some of these programs are direct aid - WV provides the food, supplies, traingin, etc. In others, WV starts the program, but then turns it over to locals who then keep the program going.

HTH!

Suz

[Jen in SC]

I'm pretty sure my mil gives to them, but haven't heard of their reputation. :unsure:

We sponsor projects through World Vision (http://www.worldvision.org/content.nsf/give/ways-to-give). I've heard very good things about them. My boys love to look through their catalog and decide how we as a family can help people. :hcry: Which is certainly better than all of the toy catalogs (a.k.a. seeds of discontent) that they usually look through.

Ditto. It's really hard to decide which project you want to help the most! So many good ones!

[Rebe]

Hollyjean,

World Vision is involved in many more types of programs than HI. HI focuses on ending hunger and poverty by providing families and individuals with animals and seeds and then teaching them how to develop sustainable agriculture. By doing so, the families are provided with a food source, and a source of income. When the individual families thrive, the entire community grows and thrives, too.

World Vision is involved in direct hunger relief - providing food. They are involved in agricultural projects - providing seeds, water, tools, etc. They are involved in education programs - training midwives, schools for children, training teachers, etc. They are involved in community growth projects - irrigation systems, health clinics, etc. Some of these programs are direct aid - WV provides the food, supplies, traingin, etc. In others, WV starts the program, but then turns it over to locals who then keep the program going.

HTH!

Suz

Thanks (again), Suz. That was helpful!

[Esther-Alabama]

We receive family gifts every year from my aunt who gives to Heifer International in honor of my kids.... We love Heifer and appreciate their work, BUT I have to tell you about the first time we received our gift!! My boys were 7, 4, and 3 yrs old. It went something like this.

I opened the card and exclaimed happily to the boys that Aunt Faye had given a pig in their honor and tried to explain.

Silence....

3yr old says,"I want pig."
4 yr old says,"We're getting a PIG!!!"
7 yr old says,"Where will it sleep?"
3 yr old,"I want pig."
4 yr old,"I'm going to name it Mr Piggy."
7 yr old,"It's gonna poop inside."

Me..."NO, we are not getting a pig. Aunt Faye is giving money so a poor family can get a pig."

3 yr old,"I want MY pig!"
4 yr old,"Why are they getting our pig?"
7 yr old,"What are they going to DO with our pig?"
3 yr old,"I want PIG!!!!!"

Me..."Okay, listen. It is not our pig, but because she loves you, Aunt Faye is giving money to some nice people who help out poor people around the world. The nice people give farm animals to poor families to help them.

3 yr old,"I want pig!"
4 yr old,"They are gonna eat our pig."
3 yr old starts to cry.
7 yr old,"Great, our pig is gonna get eaten before we even get to see it."

I gave up. Now, when I get that card each year, I just put it on the mantle.

[Rebe]

Esther -- :lol:

We had a similar conversation here when I brought this up. No tears (thank goodness), but there was great excitement for a few minutes when my 8yo thought that the animal would be shipped to US, we would keep it for a while, and THEN give it to a needy family ourselves. I had to admit, that would be very cool, but impractical. ;)

[Lisa in Ft. Worth, T]

I'm pretty sure my mil gives to them, but haven't heard of their reputation. :unsure:

We sponsor projects through World Vision (http://www.worldvision.org/content.nsf/give/ways-to-give). I've heard very good things about them. My boys love to look through their catalog and decide how we as a family can help people. :hcry: Which is certainly better than all of the toy catalogs (a.k.a. seeds of discontent) that they usually look through.

We sponsor children through World Vision and have nothing but praise for the organization so far. This year, we will also be giving for pigs and goats as well since we've never done that before. :clap: