Heifer International Cornerstones

Heifer International
Cornerstones
Benefits of Livestock
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Milk
Money
Manure
Meat
Motivation
Materials—leather, honey, wool, horns
Manual Labor
More—Self Esteem, Health, Security
The first
female
offspring and
training in
how to raise
it, are passed
on to another
family.
The gift of
livestock
continues to
grow!
PASSING ON THE GIFT CEREMONY
in Gooma, Sierra Leone
--Records are
keep accurately
and are open to
the community.
--Members
participate in all
community
meetings.
--Decisions are
made by the
group.
--All members
follow the group
rules.
People who
can not
read or
write, sign
with a
fingerprint.
Each
member of
the group is
to care
about and
help others,
sharing the
joys and
sorrows of
life.
--The program
continues after
3-5 years when
HI staff are no
longer in the
community.
--Diversity of
income source is
planned to
enable self
reliance.
ie. Livestock,
cash crops, palm
nut oil, fruit or
nut trees,
handicraft
business.
Organic farming in Crossing, SL diversifies income and is environmentally sound.
Live stock
are
provided
with care,
affection,
fresh food
and water,
shelter and
veterinary
care.
Nutritious goat food is plentiful in the bush!
In Gooma, SL, pure water is fetched for family and livestock.
Paul Kargbo, a HI Community Facilitator in Port Loko,
SL, creates salt licks from locally obtainable plants,
egg shell and other nutrients. His recipe has been
shared throughout Africa!
HI animals are inoculated and receive care from locally trained
Community Animal Health Workers.
--Family
nutrition is the
1st priority.
--Income is
used for the
good of the
family—food,
medicine, and
school fees.
--Nutritional
value of garden
produce
increases with
use of
composted
manure.
Meals are eaten from
a common plate.
Goat manure is
swept into
composting pits, to
later be used in the
garden.
--Husbands and wives
respect each other.
--Sons and daughters
are to given equal
opportunities.
--Husbands, wives and
children share the
work, decisions and
benefits of livestock.
Children are often not provided with flip flops. Cut feet often get infected.
Flip flops are
available in
the local
markets for
about $1 .
Within the 1st year of HI impact in Dorwa, SL, almost all the children had flip flops!
Babies and
toddlers
are safely
“in touch”
with their
mothers of
older
siblings!
--Recipients are
chosen based on
genuine need.
--There is no
discrimination in
choosing Passing on
the Gift recipients.
--Active participants
and hard workers are
given priority over
someone with the
same income who
does not put forth
effort.
The site chosen for the Bantatiya well is next to
the home of Sunkarie and her son, who are
both handicapped.
Care for the
environment takes
many forms:
--hygienic sanitary
systems
--improving the soil
with composted
manure
--sheltering animals
to prevent
overgrazing
--forestry projects
to fight
deforestation
--cleaning public
places
In the creation of the
Morthaim spring fed water
system, care was taken to
ensure overflow of surface
water for the environment.
This mountainside garden depends on the
surface water overflow from the gravity
fed water system.
Composting manure
and plant material
for organic gardening
in Crossing, SL.
Group
members
participate
and contribute
in all group
activities,
discussions
and meetings.
10. Full Participation
Villagers of Rolal gather for the announcement
that they will be able to have a well!
Children sit through long
meetings.
The Dedication of the Konta well.
Some
participate
from a
different
vantage
point!
People in each
village are
educated to be HI
Trainers and
Community
Animal Health
Workers, who
then train the
others in their
village in HI policy
and care of
livestock. The
Trainers and
“CAHWs” lead
community
meetings.
Spirituality is valued.
--The group is
considered over the
individual.
--All are treated
equally.
--Care is taken for the
feelings of others.
--Common values
and beliefs about the
value of life, the
connectedness of
humanity with the
earth and a shared
vision of the future
are upheld.
--Respect for religion
is observed.
--Meetings are
opened with prayer.
Mosques and churches work together
for the good of the community.
The Imam of
Bantatiya.