Success Stories

Cornerstones – Heifer’s Approach To Development

by Magdalena Wos

With as many as 12 million people in South Africa not sure where their next meal will come from, Heifer International South Africa's work toward ending hunger and poverty in South Africa is much needed. To better assist impoverished rural communities, Heifer International South Africa's (Heifer) work is based on a number of principles and values.

Heifer International South Africa, a development organisation assists poor rural communities in South Africa in achieving food security and becoming successful and sustainable small farmers. Heifer provides project members with various resources, such as training, trees, seeds and livestock. Through a gift of knowledge and an animal, project participants gain an opportunity to produce fresh and healthy food for families and generate income from selling vegetables, eggs or milk.

An important part of Heifer's approach to development is Heifer's 12 Cornerstones for Just and Sustainable Development, principles adopted from Heifer International in the United States. These values make the projects accountable and sustainable and are an essential part of all Heifer projects. As part of the training organised for project members, project participants learn about:

	Sharing and Caring- Heifer believes that an important solution in ending hunger and poverty is sharing and caring for each other.
	Passing on the Gift®- ‘Sharing and Caring in action'. A concept through which each project member passes on the equivalent of what s/he receives (training and livestock) to another family in need.
	Accountability- Each project member is accountable to another through Passing on the Gift®.
	Sustainability and Self-reliance- The principle of Heifer's work to create projects that will become sustainable in the long term and to help families become self-reliant through food production and income generation.
	Improved Animal Management- Where project members get to know how to keep their animals healthy and productive.
	Nutrition and Income- Livestock provided by Heifer is a source of protein-rich food. Selling produced vegetables, eggs or milk is a way to generate income.
	Gender and Family Focus- Heifer encourages women and men to share responsibilities and ownership of livestock as well as make decisions together as a family.
	Genuine Need and Justice- Heifer communities consist of individuals who are in genuine need and who can benefit from Heifer's intervention.
	Improving the Environment- Heifer's project members receive training on environmentally friendly-farming practices e.g. zero grazing and water management.
	Full Participation- A principle that encourages all project members to be involved in decision making.
	Training and Education- All project members attend intensive social and technical trainings and gain skills in areas such as animal management, financial management, leadership, nutrition etc.
	Spirituality- Common to all people and groups, regardless of their religion or beliefs. Spirituality is expressed in values and a shared vision of the future. It often creates a strong bond among group members and gives them a sense of responsibility to work together for a better future.

Heifer Cornerstones are more than values. Cornerstones are guidelines for Heifer itself as well as to all project members towards the goal of ending hunger and poverty in South Africa.