One of the most inspiring things about Heifer is seeing the circle of giving that occurs between donors and recipients. To see the changes in the physical and spiritual lives of Heifer recipients, and to see them grow as humans, is a miraculous sight. In addition, powerful things can happen in the lives of donors who become passionate about giving to those they see in need.

Laura Purcell, a schoolteacher in Connecticut, returned from a mission trip with her church to Cambine, Mozambique. There, she saw first-hand the devastation in the eyes of small children caused by the AIDS pandemic in Africa. She saw boys and girls, now homeless and without living relatives, being kept haphazardly in makeshift orphanages. She was mortified and struck with a conviction to "do something."

After seeing what appeared to be the beginnings of a livestock program in the villages of Cambine, she decided to contact Heifer to inquire about programs there. She learned that, for the moment, Heifer doesn't have programs in the community. Undeterred, Laura then decided to begin raising funds for the day that Heifer would arrive.

In combination with Heifer's Read to Feed program and Heifer Foundation's Country Endowment program, Laura hatched an idea to lay the groundwork for future programs in Mozambique. After introducing them to how so many children their age around the world are forced to live, she awakened the boundless energy and generosity of her students. Once inspired, the students, parents and extended families got involved. Soon, Laura had engaged three different schools in her district to launch a community-wide fundraiser for Heifer.

Because the Mozambique programs were not yet in existence, placing the funds in a country endowment with Heifer Foundation will allow it to grow until the programs are active and the funds are needed. At that time, 100-percent of the income from the endowment will be available each year to go directly to the programs as long as there is a need.

In the end, more than 600 students, from pre-K to third grade, raised approximately $18,000 to create the "Connecticut Children Care" endowment for Mozambique. "I fell in love with the people of Cambine, Mozambique, when I visited Africa in 2002, but I was struck by the poverty I saw there," says Laura. "Thank you to whomever thought of the Read to Feed program. And thanks to Heifer Foundation, the money we collected will help people in Cambine for years to come."

Miraculous things can happen when people join together to help their brothers and sisters in need.

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