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Heifer International - My Charity
The charity that I am blogging for today is Heifer International. They supply poor locations around the world (including here in the United States) with a gift animal - a goat, llama, water buffalo, rabbit, etc. - which the people of the region are then taught to take care of. The animal supplies the people with food, (milk, eggs, meat, etc.) items like fur that can be sold or used to make clothing, and much more.
The best part is that the recipient of the animal is then required to give some of the offspring to another family or group of people in need. They in turn do the same and so on and so forth. By teaching people how to become self-reliant and having them help others, Heifer has assisted millions of people in becoming healthy, happy individuals that can stand on their own two feet. In essence, Heifer is the embodiment of the sentiment "Give a man a fish, feed him for a day. Teach a man, feed him for a lifetime."
Here's one of their success stories:
Looking at Zangue Louise and her family today, it's hard to imagine the hungry times they went through. But behind the grins and brightly colored clothes is the story of a single mother of four who has created a sustainable life in a society that can be less than welcoming to women living on their own without a husband.
Eighteen years ago she married and moved to the city. However, her husband threw her out because they had been unable to have a child. She returned to her rural community hoping they would take her back.
According to Raymond Fopa a field officer at Heifer International Cameroon, "It is very difficult for a woman to receive a legal divorce in this country. For men, the laws are more lax."
In her culture Zangue Louise would have to return the dowry her husband paid at the time of the marriage in order to gain a divorce. Zangue Louise was unable to do that. Her community, recognizing the unfairness of her situation, acknowledged her as a single person. When she found another man the community recognized him as her "husband" even though there had been no divorce. The couple had two children in what seemed to be a happy ending to a sad story.
But Zangue Louise's hardships did not end there. Her second husband died. With her community's acceptance, she "married" a third man and had two more children. Another shot at a happy ending that wasn't to be. This husband also died.
On her own again and raising four children, Zangue Louise, was determined to survive. She became part of a group that received from Heifer International pigs and training in animal husbandry, breeding, and crop farming. The pigs produced litters, and soon each family had its own pigs. In a short time Zangue Louise was able to send healthy pigs to market.
Because of Heifer Intenational, today Zangue Louise and her children, Franco, Nelson, Feudjo Zangue Larua, and Nguadjo Bigich, have enough to eat, clean clothes to wear, a happy home in which to live, and smiles on their faces. And maybe this time the happy ending she has worked so hard to achieve.
Please sponsor me if you can and help support this great organization.
And now we're half way through! Woot!
The El Orbits - Night and Day (Like it? Then buy the CD.)
This is one of forty-eight posts that I am making, every half hour for twenty-four hour straight, to raise money for Heifer International by participating in this year's Blogathon. Please sponsor me if you can.
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Comments
It won't let you update your pledge amount, but I'm upping it to $50 from $20. Keep it going you're getting there.
This is probably the last bit of encouragement you'll be getting from me today. James's 30th and I'm well on my way. Keep posting.
.: LittleKenny said on August 6, 2005 08:51 PM :: link it :.You're too early! Come back at August 6, 2005 08:00 PM to see this post.
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