Christmas time is such an important time of year because there are so many messages coming across to all people. As a mother of three, I am really trying to teach my girls about the basics of giving to others. While I think it is important to give throughout the year, Christmas tends to be the month to give special gifts. As I get older, I grow less interested in needing or wanting more things. I thank God for his provisions and in that I try to teach my girls that we have enough. In a time where entitlement is growing stronger and stronger, teaching my girls the opposite will be a challenge.
Every year I learn a little more about the needs of others in our community and around the world. Growing up my grandmother would read about missionaries around the world serving. She would send funds through the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering. It is amazing what impacts us the most when it is impressed and taught at a young age. The same I want to share with my children so they will not grow up to be thinking of only themselves.
This year I learned about Heifer International through Latina Bloggers Connect, where their mission is to help communities to end world hunger and poverty and to care for the Earth. Heifer International empowers families to turn hunger and poverty into hope and prosperity by helping communities and delivering sustainable agriculture and commerce to areas with a long history of poverty.
It all starts with the gift of a sheep or a goat or a flock of geese. The animals that are gifted provide communities with food and reliable income, as agricultural products such as milk, eggs and honey can be traded or sold at market. When many families gain a new sustainable income brings new opportunities for building schools, creating agricultural cooperatives, forming community savings and funding small businesses. I know there are many of you that like supporting small businesses so what a great way to support small businesses that are actually trying to make sustainable income for families with very little.
Passing on the Gift is Heifer International’s core model which means families share the training they receive, and pass on the first female offspring of their livestock to another family. This extends the impact of the original gift, allowing a once impoverished family to become donors and full participants in improving their communities. The goal of every Heifer project is to help families achieve self-reliance. We do this by providing them the tools they need to sustain themselves, and it’s thanks to the generosity of donors like you.
I received a beautiful scarf hand-crafted by a women’s group living near Cusco,Peru where they used traditional Peruvian patterns. In this way, Heifer strives to preserve the heritage and history of rural farmers while also providing resources and training to help improve their own lives.
I also received a second one to Pass of the Gift, an extra scarf to give to someone. I love the concept and I wonder how much my life would be different if I was in these people’s situations. In a sense we are left with a legacy to create more for ourselves, but through God’s strength and wisdom left by our parents. I am thankful for that and pray that as you read this you may be blessed to help others in some way whether it is through Heifer International or through some other outlet.
Check out Heifer International’s Holiday Catalog for ideas to give to others this season or even throughout your year.
Disclosure: This is not a sponsored post. We learned what Heifer International is all about and simply wanted to share it with you. We received scarves in order to share the gift with others to share how others can do the same.
