Last year, during my Ouchie, hundreds of you came to my aid with donations to help me with my medical bills. For this, I am eternally grateful.
Now, this year, I’m thrilled to be helping with this amazing collaboration between Heifer India and BLT Helps. We’re hoping to raise $15,000 that will be matched by private donation to help families in Northwest Rajasthan.
The district of Alwar in northwest Rajasthan is dry and dusty country. But the monotonous palette of browned and yellowed fields is punctuated by the lime greens, pinks, reds, purples and blues of the clothing of the women working the land. The markets bustle with activity, and the many fruits and vegetables hanging from stalls and vendor carts add to the exotic look and feel of the place. But beyond the hectic markets, Alwar keeps an open secret: women aren’t equal. Sequestered in their homes, they are given little education outside of what will make them good wives. But with the help of non-profit Heifer International and local partner organizations like Ibtada, rural women are paving the way out of poverty for themselves and their daughters.
In April 2010, Heifer International staff and a team from non-profit service organization, BLT Helps, traveled to Rajasthan to witness Heifer’s work in action. They sat with women from five villages who shared the stories of their journeys from oppression and poverty to empowerment. Documented by renowned photographer Brigitte Lacombe, the photographs and videos in this collection provide a glimpse into the lives of the women who are working diligently to change the course of the future for their daughters and their communities.
Gifts of livestock and training help families improve their nutrition and generate income in a sustainable manner. In exchange for their livestock and training, families agreed to give one of their animal’s offspring to another family in need. It’s called Passing on the Gift – a cornerstone of Heifer’s mission that creates an ever-expanding network of hope and peace. The group also sat with women from five villages who shared the stories of their journeys from oppression and poverty to empowerment.
Donations between $1-15,000 will be matched and you can use Amazon!
If you would like to take part in spreading the word on your blog please leave a comment below and we will be in touch! Also if you DO donate let Twitter know by adding #heiferindia to your tweet with this YT link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nNkESqJjz7M
