St. Andrew’s Episcopal School recently received an award from Heifer International, in recognition of the School’s efforts and contributions to help end global hunger and poverty. Last year, students across all grade levels participated in events and programs that allowed the School to raise $5,000 for Heifer International.

The funds will be used to purchase an “ark” of animals. Some of the various ways in which the students raised money included Birthday Blessings, a Holiday Market with hand made crafts and baked goods, and the 3rd Grade Read to Feed Program. Additionally, each year, 7th Grade students spend a week at Heifer Ranch in Perryville, AR. They muck stalls, milk cows, and learn about sustainable solutions to global poverty. The School also organizes a “Heifer Day” each spring which helps to increase awareness for the issues of hunger and poverty and provide students at all grade levels a better understanding of what they and their families can do to help.

Heifer International is a non-profit organization that works with communities around the world, providing livestock and training that help families to overcome poverty and make lasting improvements in their quality of life. The “ark” that the students were able to donate will include

• 2 cows, to bring milk and income to a Russian village
• 2 sheep, to help families in Arizona produce wool
• 2 camels, to help families in Tanzania earn income by transporting agricultural and industrial materials
• 2 oxen, to pull plows and carts in Uganda
• 2 water buffalo, to help Cambodian families increase rice production through animal draft power
• 2 pigs, to enable families in Arkansas attain greater self-reliance
• 2 beehives, to help families in Armenia earn money through the sale of honey and beeswax
• 2 goats, to help Haitian families provide milk for their children and earn extra income
• 2 Donkeys , to supply animal draft power for farmers in Kenya
• 2 Trios of Ducks, to help families in Ghana generate income through the sale of eggs and birds
• 2 Trios of Rabbits, to provide food and income for families in Guatemala
• 2 Trios of Guinea Pigs, to help families in Ecuador add protein to their diets and increase income
• 2 flocks of Geese, to help families in China better their nutrition and income through the production of eggs and meat
• 2 Flocks of Chicks, to help families in Nepal improve nutrition and generate income through the sale of eggs
• 2 Llamas, to improve livestock bloodlines and produce wool and income for Bolivian families.

According to Tara Lowery-Hart, the School’s Service-Learning Coordinator, this was a meaningful award for the students. “The students worked hard all last year to raise these funds and this award represents that hard work and recognizes the effort they put forth. It also helps provide a sense of accomplishment. These youngsters believed that they could make a difference and they did.”