Heifer International

I have been behind almost the entire Christmas season.  I'm usually finished shopping weeks before the season, and the Christmas cards are out right after Thanksgiving.  There are a multitude of reasons why this hasn't happened this year, and I have just come to peace with it.

Alex and I sat down at the beginning of the advent season and outlined one of the charities we really wanted to support this giving season.  We identified Heifer International.  Heifer International donates livestock to those who need them as well as education to the recipients with the hope of creating self-sustaining families in some of the most remote areas of this Earth.  A simple gift of a goat can provide a family with milk, or a hive of bees can provide a family an opportunity to generate revenue.  The goal of the organization is to empower women and families to utilize their resources as well as share the offspring of their gifts!

We set the amount of money we wanted to contribute.  Alex then made a chart with "shares" on it up to our dollar amount.  He also sized the animals according to their price and made manipulatives.  We then had the kids piece together the animals into our chart to determine which animals we would be donating.

It was fun to hear the kids say, "Should we give 2 bunnies or a beehive?"  They were meticulous and really thoughtful about which animals we would include in our menagerie.  Once they were satisfied with their choices, we made our purchase.  

My heart aches that there are moms who can't provide their children clothing, clean drinking water, or even food.  My hope is to instill compassion in my own children and share the resources God has given to us with those who so desperately need it~