Heifer Model

HEIFER’S APPROACH TO DEVELOPMENT

The challenge that has always faced development specialists over the years, is how to bring about the development of people in a manner that is participatory (even including the old and illiterate), and leads to individual and community ownership, and is sustainable in the long term.

Heifer has developed a model, based on its 63 years of experience in community development in over 120 countries, that addresses a number of the issues raised. The model, called Heifer Project Cornerstones Model, can be depicted diagrammatically as follows:

Participatory Rural Appraisal is used as a tool to assist community groups to work through the model. The process is inclusive of the old and even illiterate, since community members provide their own information onto a group “picture”. The “picture” could be a pie chart representing the proportion of different crops planted, or a time line drawn in the sand, indicating history over time, or rainfall over time, or it could be various piles of stones indicating the various amounts of the items under discussion.

Defining the situation

The process begins with community members defining their current situation, in terms of the resources available such as rainfall, agricultural potential of the land, current agricultural production, health problems in the area such as malnutrition, skills and age profile of the community and so on. The focus is on the positive unexploited potential that exists.

Envisioning the future

After defining the situation, community members are encouraged to envision the future i.e. the future that they would like to see in 3-5 years time. Their vision of the future needs to be realistic, since they are going to set about achieving it. Typically the vision includes factors like: reducing the incidence of malnutrition among children in the area; improving agricultural production so that there is sufficient food available for everyone, generating sufficient income to purchase goods such as paraffin, soap and electricity.

Planning the project

Once the vision has been discussed and set, community members are then assisted in planning the project by developing strategies in order to move from their present situation to the desired future. These strategies normally include the use of animals to produce food, and to generate income for the participating families. Pertinent information obtained from defining the situation (such as rainfall, agricultural potential of the land, supply of fodder etc) is used to determine the type of animals that should be kept. Strategies and objectives are determined and used to develop a relevant, prioritised, training plan. The project is then established as planned. Typically a community group would receive the following training as part of the process: committee skills and leadership training (including drawing up a constitution, and conducting meetings); animal husbandry training including fodder propagation; basic bookkeeping and financial management; vegetable propagation; nutrition education in order to make the best use of foods produced and purchased; gender and environmental awareness.

Management and monitoring

After the project is established, ongoing monitoring and evaluation takes place. Monitoring and evaluation is done by both the community members and Heifer. Community members are trained in a self evaluation process called “project self evaluation” to assist them in evaluating themselves. The outcome of the monitoring and evaluation process leads to the adjustment of the strategies, if needed, in order for the planned outcomes to be achieved. The value of this model is that it has been tested, applied and accepted in numerous grassroots community groups, in many cultures of the world, and has lead to genuine ownership by community members of the entire process. It leads to communities and families taking initiative and responsibility for their own development whilst breaking dependency. Further, the training process is people centred and focuses on a specific community and their unique needs, whilst involving them in determining their own solutions.

The model is also value based, meaning that the processes are applied taking into account various values that have been collectively decided on by the group. For example, as the group faces the decision of which members should receive animals first, consideration would be given to the following values: genuine need and justice.

The value of this model is that it has been tested, applied and accepted in numerous grassroots community groups, in many cultures of the world, and has lead to genuine ownership by community members of the entire process. It leads to communities and families taking initiative and responsibility for their own development in that they develop their own solutions to the problems they face. Further, the training process is people centred and focuses on a specific community and their unique needs.

Cornerstones

Heifer - South Africa has adopted from Heifer, a number of important development principles called cornerstones, which are considered to be the building blocks for effective, sustainable development. They also indicate Heifer – South Africa’s philosophy to development, as well as forming the basis of Heifer’s accountability process.

Passing on the gift – Passing on the gift embodies Heifer’s philosophy of practical sharing and caring. Every family that receives an animal signs a contract to pass on the first female offspring to another family in need, and, also agrees to pass on the training and skills they have acquired.

Accountability – Groups define their own needs, set goals, and plan appropriate strategies to achieve them. Individuals within groups become accountable to one another through passing on the gift and regularly submit reports to Heifer – South Africa.

Sharing and Caring – Heifer believes that global problems can be overcome and solved if people are committed to sharing and caring for others. This is reflected in the funds and resources donated to various community groups, as well as, these groups sharing and caring for one another through, for example, caring for an elderly widow or orphaned children. Sharing and caring also reflects our commitment to the humane treatment of animals used in projects, and our shared vision of justice for all people.

Sustainability and Self Reliance – all projects that Heifer establishes are planned to be sustainable in the long term and this is reinforced by Heifer’s funding of groups for a limited time period only.

Improved Animal Management – recipients of animals are trained in all aspects of animal management to ensure that the animals remain healthy and productive.

Nutrition and Income – Livestock contribute to human nutrition and well being through the provision of high quality protein and fibre. In addition they provide draft power, transportation and manure to fertilize crops, whilst utilising low quality roughages such as grasses.

Gender and Family focus – Gender refers to the socially defined roles of men and women in each culture. Heifer encourages men and women to share decision making, share ownership of Heifer animals, share labour and the benefits accruing from projects.

Genuine need and justice – Heifer likes to partner with those who have a genuine need and who can benefit from the modest support provided by Heifer. The poorest members within a community should be included in the group membership and receive priority for assistance.

Improving the environment – one of the aims of Heifer is to improve the environment. The zero grazing management of animals prevents them overgrazing and causing physical damage to the soil. The fodder grasses and trees, that are planted to provide food for the animals, are often grown on denuded,      infertile soils and thus improve ground cover thereby preventing erosion.

Full Participation – Heifer works with grassroots groups, or intermediary organisations representing grassroots groups, and is committed to involving and encouraging all members to be involved in decision making.

Training and Education – Comprehensive practical training in animal management; financial management; leadership skills and constitution writing; nutrition education; environmental and gender awareness is provided to families.

Spirituality – spirituality is common to all people and groups, regardless of their religion or beliefs. Spirituality is expressed in values, beliefs about the meaning of life, a sense of connectedness to the earth and a shared vision of the future. It often creates a strong bond among group members and gives them faith, hope and a sense of responsibility to work together for a better future.