Letters

THE NEED FOR FEED
The holiday 2011 issue of World Ark went a long way in explaining the training families receive before being given livestock. Since I grew up on a farm where we had chickens, pigs, cattle and horses I know how much feed was needed. We utilized the manure on our garden and fields. We raised the hay, grain and corn we fed our animals. I often wondered how families would be able to provide for the livestock given to them.

SHARON KING
St. Louis, Mo.

EAT LESS MEAT
I enjoyed the article on Zambia and was pleased to see that you do a comprehensive evaluation of your programs. However, I do take issue with one of the author's assumptions. Thomaz Chianca stated, "Access to protein, especially meat, has improved but still remains limited. Participants indicated that they eat meat (mostly chicken and fish) about two times per month…. It's an important improvement but still far from the ideal." Protein in the diet is unarguably important, but expecting people the world over will rely on meat to supply it is unrealistic. My family doesn't eat meat more than two times per month, not because it is morally wrong, but because it is unsustainable. Eggs and milk, as well as legumes and nuts, all supply good protein. I would hope that this view would be conveyed to recipients and that quantity of meat consumed would not be used to evaluate the success of Heifer programs.

ELIZABETH VERBECK
Rogue River, Ore.

*****

Brothers

In the photo, the men are smiling broadly,
though two lifetimes ago they were enemies.
They are from Cambodia – no, Kampuchea.
During the horrific years of the 'killing fields'
they fought on opposing sides until
landmines took a leg from each man.

They sit, looking into the camera; one leans into
the other and has his hands on the other man's
shoulders. The man being leaned into wears
a pale blue shirt with the legend "peace for all"
under a dove logo. Beneath the smiles are
telltale plastic sheaths over prosthetic limbs.

The only escape from the past is acknowledgement –
and then refusal of the old hatreds. The only way
forward is through forgiveness and development
recognizing the rights of all.

The men smile, call each other "brother," and
I imagine now, with a water buffalo from
Heifer International, dare to dream of a better,
more peaceful future for their families.

This poem, contributed by Andrew Shattuck McBride of Bellingham, Wash., was inspired by a story that ran in the Fall 2011 issue of World Ark.

Q&A Holiday
What is your favorite Heifer animal? Why?

My favorite Heifer animal is a sheep because it was my son, Collin's, favorite. He died at age 19 in a motorcycle accident on Nov. 7, 2007, and I collect money from family and friends each holiday season to purchase Heifer sheep in his memory. I started this project in November of 2008 and so far, I've collected enough money to purchase 135 sheep from Heifer! It gives me so much peace knowing that my son is still bringing joy to so many people around the world. The holiday season is difficult for those who feel the loss of a loved one, but collecting money to buy Heifer sheep to send around the world in my son's memory makes the holiday season more joyous, exciting and special for me.

LORIJO PETERS
Manheim, Penn.

*****

My wife supports your fine work and so do I, but is promoting goats such a good idea?

There was a calendar out recently that had a picture called "Goats In Trees." These goats were high in a tree eating the last remaining leaves. Below, the arid ground was bare, the goats had eaten everything!

The Sahara is spreading. My question is, how much is climate change and how much is overgrazing? Anyway, your work is very important.

I have two favorites, chickens and pigs, great small farm animals.

ROBERT THOMPSON
Bee Log, N.C.

Editor's note: Caring for the Earth is a big part of Heifer's mission, and we've seen the havoc free-roaming goats can cause. That's why Heifer participants living in environmentally sensitive regions must build what we call zero-grazing pens before receiving their goats. These spacious pens allow the animals plenty of room but keep them from devouring crops and other vegetation. Animals are frequently taken out of the pens for supervised exercise.

*****

Mine are poultry, rabbits, pigs and guinea pigs.

They require relatively little food to sustain them, have low
environmental impact and short gestation periods, with multiple births
with each pregnancy.

CARMEL HARA
Berkeley, Calif.

Q&A February
How do you teach children the importance of giving?
Email your answers to worldark@list.heifer.org. Please limit your answer to 250 words or fewer. We reserve the right to edit responses for length, clarity and grammar.