This blog follows one goat's efforts to support the rural poor and to show Canadians that they can make a real difference in creating sustainability for vulnerable families overseas.
First of all, from all of us at the Canadian Hunger Foundation we'd like to thank everyone who supported Gifts That Matter this holiday season. Thanks to our generous supporters, countless families will be given the opportunity to take the first steps out of poverty. It's a remarkable way to start the New Year.
A New Year – with new beginnings - what a great time for a goat to put his best hoof forward with a few resolutions...
1.
Get Informed: If I want to know the impact I can have then I need to know what my support is really accomplishing. This year I'm going to learn something interesting about a different CHF project each month - starting now! This month I've learned...
- Succession planning is KEY to all CHF project planning - for example...
- In Cambodia over the past few months 45 women and 45 men, from households across the 15 villages in the project region, have been selected as their own Village Experts.
- CHF, and their local partners, are now working with these 3 women and 3 men in each village to train them as the “go to” people for their own communities to receive hands on training in agricultural production, livestock rearing and small business development.
- The process is very community driven, gives women and men the confidence and comfort to get the support they need and means that even when the project is complete there will be knowledge sharing on best practices for generations to follow!
Now - That's impact a goat can really get behind...
2.
Get out there: I have decided it's time to 'kick-up' my outreach efforts – I'm going to spread the word to all corners of the country – to people like you - and ask you to share the message in turn. If we are all connected even in some way to everything everywhere – doesn't it only make sense that our actions can make a difference.
3.
Get active: Physically, yes – it's time to go for a brisk walk! I think I'll ask the chickens to join me. BUT also it's time to take action! Will you join me...volunteer, raise awareness, donate time or money to a cause that matters – you won't be disappointed with how great it feels!
So, what've you got planned to make 2012 a standout year?