This is the final to the series contributed by Heifer Sacramento volunteer, Cheryl McKinney on her experience visiting Heifer Ecuador projects in 2013.
Post script - Heifer's Work Evolved
We Heifer tourists saw and learned a lot during one busy
week in Ecuador. We came away having witnessed many ways in which the Heifer
really does what it sets out to do.
We had all arrived with the basic Heifer narrative in mind, which goes as follows.
●
A community invites Heifer in to help with pressing
problems.
●
Heifer staffers, native to the project country, act as
facilitators, engaging groups — in which women have full representation — to
assess the community’s strengths, articulate goals and vision.
●
Among the outcomes of this group process, sometimes
taking months, will be decisions about specific projects to be undertaken.
●
Then families receive training and support in the
specifics of the project as well as any needed education in group process — all
summed up in “the 12 Cornerstones for Just & Sustainable Development.”
●
At the appropriate time, animals, plants, or other
gifts arrive, and project participants sign promising to “Pass on the Gift” by
donating an offspring animal or other offshoot of their specific project to the
next family waiting to participate.
●
The community is strengthened, in food security and
networks of relationships.
Thank you to Cheryl for sharing your view on the ground in Ecuador!
