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OH! THE PLACES YOU'LL GO!
Children in the village of Mogabiri, Tanzania, where Heifer hopes to have a
project soon.
Last month I had the pleasure and privilege of traveling to Tanzania and working alongside Heifer staff for several days. Just getting there and around was half the fun! The other half of fun was meeting families who have already benefited from Heifer’s work there and those who are beginning the methodical process of working with us.
The primary purpose of the trip was to participate in a training workshop for Tanzania field staff. They were learning newly expanded tools to establish baselines when Heifer begins work in a village. It is a very participatory process for the village, requiring much reflection and input on their part. The idea is that once the baselines are established by the villagers themselves, with Heifer staff guidance, that 1) it will be clear to Heifer and the villagers alike what the most pressing needs of the community are and these can then be addressed 2) the village members will have a more vested interest in the project and 3) Heifer can be more accurate than ever in reporting the impact of its work to you, our donors. The workshop included time in a meeting room going over powerpoint presentations and handouts, and days in the field with potential Heifer project recipients.
As with other Heifer trips, I came home convinced of the importance and power of Heifer’s work. I saw it in recipients like Michael and Samuel. As with other Heifer trips, I came home humbled by the hard work and large heart of Heifer staff. I saw it in country zonal coordinators Dr. Sokombi and Mr. Nzundu, to name just two. And, as with other Heifer trips, I came home with an overwhelming gratitude to Heifer’s founding fathers and the donors, meaning YOU, who keep that early vision alive.
While there, I wrote to you daily, telling you about the people I was
meeting, the work that was being accomplished, and the challenges yet ahead
for this established program. My journal will be available via podcast in
the very near future. If you're not already a subscriber to our
e-newsletter, why don't you subscribe now so you'll be notified when the
podcast is available? As the title of the Dr. Seuss books says, ?Oh! The
places you?ll go!?
Samuel is proud of his brick home and says his wife and children are healthy
and happy, thanks to Heifer. Since receiving his first cow about 10 years
ago, his family's income has grown from about $10/mo to about $100/mo.
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