RE: How to Help Impoverished Families in Third World Countries

[Guest guest]

Hi Everyone, I received an e-mail from a friend regarding donating money to "Heifer International.Org" which money would go towards purchasing some animals such as rabbits, chickens, or "an option is to give a share of a larger animal." Sooooo, I was a bit heartbroken with how to deal with that and sent her back a nice note as follows: "To help the needy I would rather not give an animal but other types of food or resources. I just can't imagine having an animal shipped to Africa or faraway part of the world or anywhere close to home on my behalf. To me there are many ways to end world hunger and I just can't do it by giving away an animal. I wouldn't send a dog or a cat to Africa, so why another sentient living being? Thanks for sharing though and all the best to you and your family this holiday season." I hope we can still remain friends.

I can, but certainly as I am making my preference for a Vegan philosophy towards all animals (I am not a perfect Vegan) known to my friends -- friends communicate and share so inevitably this does come up -- "strange" emotions and energy crops up, sadly and sometimes (not always though and thank goodness). My question to the BayAreaVeg Group, is, can you recommend any organizations that help Third World Countries in non-animal/meat giving ways? I would love to hear some suggestions so that I can pass those on to my friend as well. Thanks so much, Adrienne Guy