A WATER BUFFALO FROM SANTA

Why not?  Just call up Heifer, International on your computer or call 1-800-422-0474.  The address is One World Avenue, Little Rock AR, USA 72202.  True, the expense of a water buffalo is $250 or a share for as little as $25.  But you can gift a pig for $20, honey bees for $30, a whole flock of ducks for $20, a llama for $150 and even a heifer for $500 (a share is $50) as well as a goat or a sheep or a trio of rabbits or even a horse or fish.  The gift of regionally appropriate livestock, as well as tree seedlings, are given to families around the world.  Each participating family studies animal husbandry and agrees to donate any female offspring to another family.  In this fashion, your gift might eventually benefit an entire small community.

This marvelous organization was founded by an American farmer, Dan West, who was serving as a Church of the Brethren relief worker in Spain during the Spanish Civil War.  Appalled by the limited amount of food aid, he founded Heifers for Relief upon his return to the United States.  It because an official project of the Church of the Brethren's Brethren Service Committee in 1942 and the first shipment of 17 heifers went from York, Pennsylvania, to Puerto Rico in 1944.  "Heifer Project" was incorporated as an independent nonprofit in 1953.

Animals such as goats, water buffalo and camels are 'seven M' animals; they provide meat, milk, muscle, manure, money, materials and motivation.  Once its immediate needs have been met, a family is free to sell any excess at market.  Heifer International provides a breeding animal along with the gift animal so that it can produce offspring.  As you can see, each female offspring is 'given' to someone else so the original gift continues to benefit beyond ones imagination.

So, how about it?  I am thinking of a gift of ducks myself.  And you can always enlist your family or friends to band together so no one is unduly burdened.  Even a simple dollar can go a long way for aiding someone who is not as fortunate as we who live in New York City with access to most of our needs and some of the world's safest, and tastiest, water.  Happy Holidays and give Santa a hand.