All around the world, impoverished communities are stricken with the effects of food shortages. World hunger has progressively become a critical issue within many countries. There are, however, ways to reach out and provide aid to those suffering from hunger. Heifer International is a nonprofit organization that provides livestock, plants, and education in sustainable agriculture to families across the globe that are suffering economically.Based in Little Rock, Arkansas, Heifer International was founded by American farmer Dan West around the time of the Spanish Civil War. Today, Heifer International has provided over 125 countries with regional plants and livestock. Its aim is to try to help each respective community become entirely self-sustaining.

As well as providing these communities with provisions and an appropriate knowledge of agriculture, Heifer International is also involved in such projects as providing families with clean water and access to emergency housing and education.

There are numerous interesting and convenient ways to become involved at Heifer International. Volunteers are accepted to do work within an actual community, should they prefer a more hands-on experience. Study tours are also available; these allow people to visit Heifer project sites and experience the impact their efforts have on the communities they aid. There are also learning centers located in the U.S. that educate everyday people in the work that Heifer International does around the world. Donations can also be made to Heifer International from the comfort of one’s home, as well as plans for innovative fundraising ideas.

With so many places to volunteer and donate money, many people wonder, “How do I know this organization is helping?”

In 2005, a team of researchers from Western Michigan University investigated the impact of Heifer International. “It is beyond doubt that in all 20 of the countries we have examined, Heifer has brought large overall benefits to very large numbers of low income rural families.” According to their summary, “Heifer International is instrumental in helping rural people with adequate food, water, shelter, improved protection against life-threatening disease and enough reasonable secure income to provide for basic clothing, household equipment for cooking and storing of basic foods and minimal medical needs.

Visit Heifer International online at www.heifer.org to learn more about the organization, how to become a volunteer, donate or to simply discover how the average person can make an enormous difference in the battle to end world hunger.