World Ark Magazine - March/April 2009 - (Page 1) horizons It Is achievable dear friends, Heifer international’s pass on the gift month, celebrated in april, is a special time to remember that we each have wonderful gifts to share with the world. whether that gift is time, skills or resources, we each have something that can positively affect the journey of others. Some of you may know the story of Tererai Trent, heifer’s deputy director of planning and evaluation. during the dedication ceremony of heifer international’s world headquarters building in 2006, she shared with our guests that she grew up in a rural village in Zimbabwe. one day, she and other women in the community were sitting in a circle on the dirt ground, a circle that she called the “dream circle.” a visitor joined their dream circle and began asking them about their hopes and dreams, questions that no one else had ever asked them. She revealed that this visitor was me. You can imagine my surprise. Jo Luck participates in a Passing on the Gift ceremony in China. Whether that gift is time, skills or resources, we each have something that can positively affect the journey of others. Tererai said that she and the other women could not understand all of the words i said, but that through a translator they heard: “Tinogona, tinogona. It’s achievable!” and, with a spark of hope and assistance from heifer international, Tererai Trent certainly did go on to achieve her dreams of living an empowered life. Through my work with heifer, i am fortunate to have many opportunities in which i can pass on the gift of hope. Not long ago, when i visited rural villages of china, i had the privilege of being reconnected with a man whom i had encouraged 12 years ago—when he was just 14 years old and living in poverty—to hold onto his dream of becoming a veterinarian. he made a special trip to let me know that he had indeed become a veterinarian, thanks in part to the inspiration of heifer international. The incredible men and women i meet on my travels, like Tererai and the young veterinarian, serve as reminders to me that we never know how we will impact others. i believe that each of you has a Tererai in your own life, but you do not have to travel to foreign countries to find her. You must only carry with you a willingness to pass on your unique and invaluable gifts. as my friend would say, “Tinogona.” Because of caring individuals like you, a world without hunger and poverty is achievable! —Jo luck President and CEO w w w. h e i f e r. o r g march/apri l 2009 | worl d ar k 1 http://www.heifer.org
For optimal viewing of this digital publication, please enable JavaScript and then refresh the page. If you would like to try to load the digital publication without using Flash Player detection, please click here.