Given all the recent animal-inspired conversations, we both took one look at this cover and burst into laughter. Opening the leaflet, we found a veritable zoo of animals being offered for purchase, including (drum roll please) llamas! Upon closer inspection, we learned that Heifer International is a non-profit organization dedicated to fighting poverty and hunger. The catalog lists opportunities to purchase animals, plants, and insects that can help support or feed families in need throughout the world. $20 can buy a flock of geese in China, a trio of ducks in Ghana, or a starter flock of chicks from Cameroon to the Caribbean. A llama in Bolivia will cost you $150:
Oh yes, and you can buy shares of animals, too. We are pondering if we can round up enough people from work to jointly purchase a llama. For those whose pockets are plumper, you can purchase a heifer for $500, a milk menagerie (heifer, 2 goats, water buffalo) for $1000, or a Gift Ark (breeding pairs of selected animals) for $5000. The Heifer Ark actually travels around the world, continuing the organization's humanitarian efforts. Pretty cool.So, what started out as something funny to laugh about ended up having an important message, particularly on this holiday. Though not everyone may wish or be able to purchase farm animals to help others, we can still take some time to help fight hunger with a few mouse clicks. In that spirit, I am including the same link that my friend Trivia Duchess posted on her blog:
By playing this vocabulary game, you can donate rice to help feed the hungry. Each word you correctly match with its synonym results in a donation of 10 grains of rice. Most of the words are fairly difficult, but it is still fun to try. Besides, it's for a good cause. So far, in three separate games, I have been able to donate 8 bowls of rice (or 800 grains). All my wordsmith friends out there, please give it a go!Happy Thanksgiving everyone! :)
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