A Family Day at Heifer Village

My husband's company spent some volunteer  time on Thursday setting up the arts and crafts tables that would be part of the June 5-7th festivities.  Later on he got an awesome tour of the new village that they just built adjacent to the Heifer International  Headquarters.  His excitement over this really made us want to bring out the entire family.

"Since 1944, Heifer International has helped 10.5 million families in more than 125 countries, including the united States, move toward greater self-reliance.  Heifer provides small-scale farmers with livestock like cows, goats, chickens, and sheep, so they can use the milk, meat, manure, and other benefits to improve nutrition and income.  Heifer also provides seeds, fodder, and tree seedlings to improve soil quality, precent erosion and improve crops.  In addition to providing livestock, Heifer teaches the practice of agroecology: the use of natural resources using social, cultural, economic, political, and ecological methods that work together to achieve sustainable agriculture production."

So this morning ... a sunny and very hot start of the day brought us to downtown Little Rock where Heifer Village is located.  We picked up our "global passport" and free goodies (of course this included a reusable bag). We even walked away with some free tomato plants that will go nicely in our new vegetable planters. Pretty soon after we were able to see a really great musical show with Dan Zanes and friends.  This guy is really cool. Even adults can get into his lyrics and sound. He sounds great and is oddly enjoyable to watch.  

After a bunch of song listening, we headed over to the various arts and craft tables.  My girls did origami, weaving, rope making, and watched brick making.  Then we headed to see some farm animals.  This is always a highlight for children and one of those moments where this mom constantly feels the need to remind her children that she has antibacterial lotion and not to put their dirty hands near their face or mouth.  Not sure what it is, but I somehow have visions of intestinal viruses running through my head.  Call me crazy, but that really is a

 nightmare of mine.

We saw the animals ... 

We practiced proper handwashing

We also applied the antibacterial stuff

THEN ...

We got some food (the only MONEY we spent ALL DAY).

Afterwards, we headed into the ACTUAL VILLAGE to see the exhibits.  The purpose of this place is is to help raise public awareness of practical solutions to hunger and poverty.  Hopefully families, students, tourists can discover, explore, and commit themselves to taking personal action to help end hunger and poverty.  The exhibits were more uplifting than depressing.  You walked away feeling like there are workable solutions ... things that we ALL can do.

Some learnable moments included ...

• looking for Fair Trade labels on clothes and goods (workers get paid in a fair way)
  vs. 
  
  
• finding more sources of local food or become more aware of where their food comes from (less travel, giving to the local community)
  
• conservation of water
• taking 10% of their holiday givings and applying it to humanitarian efforts

*not sure if you can click on my pictures and see them larger, but this last one really made me "think".  Every year I say we will scale back with our Christmas shopping, but I think this year we will certainly "re-think" how we spend and certainly "give" to others ... here and to other sources.

Today I think that maybe I gave a deeper sense of understanding POVERTY  ... even to the youngest of my children.  My girls are spoiled ... I know it.  While I think it may be okay to be blessed with all that we have, I also know how important it is to show gratitude and GIVE BACK.  We will try harder.  Today provided us with a great experience in seeing that!