10/09/2021
Heifer International, an organization working to end world appetite, has devoted $1 million for programs that will assist tsunami victims in South and Southeast Asia rebuild their lives over the long term. 'After the essential relief efforts to make sure the victims' immediate survival, Heifer International will reach out to help households in neighborhoods to rebuild their lives and livelihoods for the years to come,' said Jo Luck, chief executive officer and president of Heifer International. 'What families need now is to wish for the future.' Over the next few years, Heifer's Indonesia staffers and partner companies will collaborate to reconstruct agricultural production, increase household earnings and support real estate, education and public health efforts. The programs will provide training, livestock and associated aid to tsunami survivors and farms on the coast of the Indonesian island of Sumatra and elsewhere in the region. For more than 60 years, Heifer International has worked with little farming communities to end hunger and hardship with its distinct method: providing food- and income-producing animals and training to millions of resource-poor households, thus helping whole neighborhoods become self-reliant. First, Heifer helps a community group evaluate its situation. It asks: What do you need? What are your resources? What would you like to see happen in 5 years? With Heifer's help, the neighborhood plans specific activities to achieve its objectives. Farmers then prepare for their animals' arrival by taking part in training sessions, constructing sheds and planting trees and turfs. Then the animals gets here, providing milk, wool, draft power, eggs and other resources. All families that get support from Heifer guarantee to repay their 'living loans' by donating one or more of their animals' offspring to another household in need in their community. This practice of 'passing on the gift' guarantees task sustainability, develops a sense of neighborhood and improves self-confidence by enabling task partners to end up being donors. Heifer's approach is to end appetite and hardship one family and one animal at a time. Its work is created to cause long-term self-reliance rather than short-lived relief. The organization operates in 50 nations, including the United States. - NU
