Heifer International

In addition to the houses that have been destroyed, thousands of livestock have been washed away in the flood waters. These livestock losses coupled with the crop loss is threatening to cause a serious food shortage in the South Asian nation. Stay tuned to World Ark Blog for updates from our staff in the field and to learn how you can help families affected by this disaster. 

More than 15,000 Heifer families have been affected by devastating floods in Nepal. Monsoon rains have swamped farm fields, sweeping away thousands of livestock and displacing families. According to Heifer Nepal staff, the disaster has struck at one of the worst times in southern Nepal, shortly after farmers in the country’s most important agricultural region had planted their rice crops. We are working on the ground to provide assistance to families and to assess the damage. Stay tuned to the World Ark Blog for updates and for info on how you can help the men, women and children who have lost their homes.

Carlos and his family are one of 1000 farmers in Nicaragua’s Dry Coridoor who are working with Heifer International to learn new climate-smart methods of farming.  Read more about the Vargas family in World Ark Magazine. 

In early 2013, Soy and Houl joined a Heifer International program and received training in gender equality. These trainings inspired Soy to recalibrate his views on women and speak out against a common problem in his community: domestic violence. Now, he volunteers as a peer educator in his village and spends time each day discussing gender roles and inequality with his neighbors. 

In this photo of the week, Nixon Josue (6) demonstrates his expert hen-handling skills! He lives with his family in San Jose Village, Ecuador. 

Did you know? Farmers who receive livestock from Heifer International pledge to give the first-born female offspring of their herd to a member of their community along with training in the animal's care. In this way, entire communities can lift themselves out of poverty through one Heifer project. 

In Guatemala, quality-control experts Domingo, Juan and Antonio test their family's latest honey harvest!

In this photo, farmer Sara Majuriu (43) is taking fresh cow’s milk to the chilling facility near her home in Zambia’s Copperbelt Province.

April 25th marked one year since a 7.8-magnitude earthquake struck Nepal. It was the largest temblor felt there in 80 years, and affected tens of thousands of our project participants. Heifer reporter Annie Bergman visited project participants almost one year after the devastating earthquake struck; these are a few of the stories she heard.

Providing access to fresh water is essential in helping people build sustainable livelihoods. This World Water Day, take a look at this video from @united-nations to see just how much water and jobs go hand in hand. 

There is still a gap between women and full equality that experts predict will take more than 100 years to close. In honor of International Women’s Day, We’re taking a moment to focus on how we’re working with women around the world to narrow this gender gap. 

Stay tuned to the World Ark Blog to hear more from Sofia and to hear stories of other awesome women that are involved in Heifer projects.

Here, Lanie takes frozen milkbars to market near her home in The Philippines. She makes these treats using milk from her own cows. 

If you’re feeling a little counter-cultural this February 14th, head over to the World Ark Blog for the full version of our unconventional Valentine’s Gift Guide in all its gify glory.  

The PROMESA coffee and cocoa program is one of dozens of Heifer programs around the world. See a full list of our active programs here!