At the start of the new millennium, leaders from 191 nations – including the United States – agreed on a plan to cut extreme global poverty in half by 2015. Together, they created the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). Development is about freedom from misery and suffering, hunger, illiteracy, disease, poor housing and insecurity. Fulfilling the 8 MDGs would mean lifting more than 500 million people out of extreme poverty. More than 300 million would no longer suffer from hunger. Child health would improve. We have the power to help our brothers and sisters around the world – all we have to do is Learn, Pray, Act and Give.
And through the Cathedral Church School Children, we had an opportunity to Learn, Pray, Act and Give as we begin with MDG Goal #1:
MDG Goal 1: Eradicate Extreme Poverty and Hunger
One sixth of the world’s population lives on less than $1.00 every day. One person dies from hunger every 3.5 seconds. Each one of them is a child of God. The aim of Goal One is to cut in half the number of people who are hungry.
How we helped….
The Cathedral Church School children sponsored a “Bake Sale” on Sunday, June 8, 2008. They raised $430. The money raised will go to Heifer International. This will translate into giving the gifts of:
3 Sheep @$120/sheep; 1 Flock of Ducks @$20/flock; 1 Gift of Hope Basket which contains chickens and rabbits @$50/basket. In addition, The Cathedral Choir Development Fund is donating $120 to Heifer Organization for the gift of an additional sheep.
Sheep: Shear Joy Entire communities depend on wool and meat from sheep. Struggling families use sheep's wool to make clothes, or sell it for extra income. Sheep often give birth to twins or triplets and can graze even the hilliest, rockiest pastures unsuitable for other livestock. Some Heifer families use managed grazing techniques or zero-grazing pens to protect the environment and collect manure for fertilizer, which improves soil and pasture land. Warm in winter, cool in summer, waterproof and durable - wool is a valuable product that struggling families can use for clothing or sell for extra income. All over the world, Heifer partners are raising sheep to advance the cause against hunger and poverty.
Heifer International works with communities around the world to end hunger and poverty and to care for the earth. Since 1944, Heifer has helped 9.2 million families in 125 countries move toward greater self-reliance through livestock, training and "passing on the gift." By providing animals and training, Heifer enables families to overcome poverty and make lasting improvements in their quality of life. Heifer's Program Information Services offers technical literature for field workers and planners that focuses on sustainable approaches to development; small-scale farming; animal husbandry; and planning, monitoring and evaluation techniques.
