Heifer International

An old proverb tells us that "If you give a man a fish, you feed him for a day. If you teach a man to fish, you feed him for a lifetime". The basic sentiment rings true to so many ears. Material hand-outs will temporarily satisfy peoples' needs, but doesn't help them overcome the conditions that brought them to require assistance. Have you ever stopped to think about how much harder it is to train a fisherman than give away fish? When and where to cast in, how to use the rod or net, what to use as bait, how to bring in the caught fish and how to maintain the equipment are all part of teaching someone to fish. Heifer International is one of the organizations dedicated to providing both the skills and materials to feed people for a lifetime.

Heifer International made its first donation of live stock to a community in need in Puerto Rico in 1944 as Heifers for Relief after five years of effort by the organization's founder Dan West. Since then the organization has grown to provided livestock and education to over 50 countries. Communities served range from poor communities in the United States to developing agriculture in war torn areas of Uganda and many many more. These projects all center on building groups abilities to support themselves by providing animals and the training needed to care for them. An important part of their work is not just informing the recipients on how to care for the animals provided, but ensuring that whole of the community grows around the gifts.

Recipients are required to share offspring of the animals they are given and train those they give to care for them as well. In addition entering into these contracts of continued giving, communities are trained in other related areas of resource management including sustainable irrigation, fertilization and reforestation. They educate individuals on farming methods which minimize impact on the environment while making animals easiest to keep track of. Often the animals are entrusted to women as a way of elevating their status within their family and community. It has been shown time and time again that an increase in women's rights can lead to a decrease in violence and more rapid social development. The animals and materials donated are carefully selected to best match the environment and traditions of the participants.

Heifer International offers many ways to give! The first is simply giving directly to the organization for them to apply to the greatest current need. You are also given the option of choosing a project to fund or donate the amount needed to give a particular kind of animal. They also allow individuals an option to create a gift registry to request friends and family make donations rather than give gifts for holidays and celebrations.

The Heifer Foundation with its wide scope, from Eastern Europe to South America and seeds to water buffalo, and emphasis on encouraging stable development rather than temporary satiate needs is truly worthy of our attention and donation.

Bethlehem Haven, Women's shelter in Pittsburgh, PA

For my first donation I am giving to a group in my neighborhood that supports a cause near to my heart, particularly so soon after Mothers' Day. Women have the unusual position of being a historically oppressed group, despite not being a minority in the population. While great leaps and bounds have been taken in the recent decades to ensure equal rights for women and several markers of success are on the rise, violence towards and exploitation of women still persist in society.  It is an odd fact of humanity that men are more violent than women. Most violent crimes are committed by men age 18-35 and these can often leave women in difficult situations as their fathers, boyfriends, husbands and others take regrettable actions. Not to say that women can't get them selves into difficult times on their own but these cultural trends can make it particularly hard for women to overcome hardships. Safe havens from hostile environments can give women a chance to recuperate and reorganize their lives so they can go forward and lead the lives of their choosing.

One such place in my home city of Pittsburgh is the Bethlehem Haven. This organization provides housing for homeless women ranging from short term emergency housing durring a crisis to helping organize long term residences for women with chronic mental or other health problems. They provide programs for substance abuse and trauma counseling. A vital aspect of their work is assistance in finding work so women can gain independence. Because many of their guests has been homeless or convicted of crimes in the past, much of this training focuses on re-entering the work force or what to expect from their first professional environment. They also provide basic medical care to women (and men!) in need. They have been active in Pittsburgh for over 30 years and in their current location since 2000.

Places like Bethlehem Haven save lives and open doors but tend to be soo small as to not get much publicity. I choose this particular organization as it is a part of my community, a quick Google search should lead you to a comparable organization in your city such as The Spring of Tampa Bay in Tampa, FL or The Gathering Place in Denver, CO. Most of these organizations will be just as, if not more pleased with a donation of volunteer time as money so there are many ways to be generous. If we all give just a little more than we currently are, it will add up to a big change!

Here's to women! Here's to Pittsburgh! Here's a donation to a fine organization!

On a little mission

Three years ago I was coming up on my first Christmas after getting a new job. For the first time in years I would have the money to get nice things for my friends and family. But what to give! As I talked through options with a friend he told me that his family had adopted the tradition of giving to charities in each others names years ago. This struck me as brilliant! My mother scarcely needs more earrings nor my father ties and my sisters musical taste are unpredictable so I'd given up on finding new music for her. Plus there was the little added benefit of helping to make the world a nicer place. As I looked for places to donate I realized just how many amazing groups there are out there. From the well known organizations with UN representation like Oxfam to local focused groups like the Bethlehem Women's Haven there are countless causes one can contribute to. How does one decide where to give?

I've decided not to decide! Each week I will be making a $10 donation to a different group and describing a bit of their work. Why only $10?  My hope is to highlight how easy it is to contribute to causes you care about and maybe even draw attention to some not on everyone's radar. I will also discuss current events and humanitarian issues. I am an academic biologist, not a scholar or profesional in aid but how better to learn than to explain to others? Feel free to donate along with me, comment on my entries and suggest the next week's charity.

Best to you all!