My Nonprofit Reviews
J. Sparks
Review for Heifer Project International, Inc., Little Rock, AR, USA
Of all the many organizations working to end extreme poverty that I have studied, Heifer seems to me to have the best combination of pragmatism and idealism. They recognize that the problems they wrestle with are complex and intertwined: how hunger is related to social injustice, war, environmental degradation, gender inequality, ignorance (both here and abroad), and apathy. They manage to fight all of these problems together.
Founded by an extraordinary man--Dan West--after his experience doing relief work in Europe during the Spanish Civil War, this group continues to refine its methods and spread its idea that impoverished people all over the world can solve their own problems--and then go on to help others-- with just a loan of livestock and training, which they then pass on to others.
My own experiences with Heifer have included participating in various fund-raising and public outreach projects, including a joint fundraiser with the African Children's Choir and a recent banquet in California's wine country, projects that are run primarily by grass-roots volunteers--interesting, fun, passionate, wonderful people!
I have also attended two educational weekend seminars, "Heifer University 101" and the more in-depth "Heifer University 201," which were both excellent--very informative and inspiring.
So whether you want to learn more about how to fight poverty and its attendant problems, put your own shoulder to the wheel with active participation, or just send your donation dollars to a group that will spend them well and multiply them, check out heifer.org. This is a great group.
More Feedback
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
I've met people from seriously impoverished countries who were helped by Heifer's projects, and I have seen and felt what volunteering can do for the volunteers, too--builds both humility and confidence and provides perspective, inspiration.
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
It is already almost perfect, but I would recommend that Heifer make its gifts, books, and (especially) DVDs easier to buy from its main Web site. You have to already be an insider to know what is available, and even then it isn't easy to get the goods. Ordering the animals is easy, though. I don't understand why reviewer #2 had trouble with it.
Review for Food First/Institute for Food and Development Policy, Pasadena, CA, USA
As the current world food crisis amply demonstrates, humanity at large and the Western world in particular really needs the knowledge and wisdom of this group! Reading "Diet for a Small Planet" and "Food First" as a teenager changed my life, making me a vegetarian and launching me into a continuing inquiry into the problem of world hunger. Naturally, I was very happy to find this institute devoted to continuing Frances Moore Lappe's work. I also had the opportunity to do some volunteer work for this group, helping to edit a fascinating book manuscript, an anthology about the pernicious effects of the GMO revolution on the genetic treasury stored in the world's core agricultural seeds. I learned a lot doing this from the diverse array of experts who contributed to the anthology. This group is publishing extrememly important books on topics like these, as well as providing valuable internship opportunities for people with diverse skills, backgrounds, and interests. The group also publishes a regular email notices of internships and jobs with a large, diverse array of like-minded organizations. They are friendly and welcoming to people who visit their office, as well, and they help sponsor valuable workshops and public speaking engagements. By all means, spend some time on their website and buy some books! Sincerely, Julie Sparks, Ph.D. San Jose State University, English Department
More Feedback
If this organization had 10 million bucks, it could...
Go a long way toward defeating misinformation and exposing truly egregious behavior by the industrial food corporations that are perpetuating and deepening world hunger and environmental degredation.
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2006
