Success Stories

Project Impact

Introduction:
This document refers to groups that Heifer International South Africa works with to achieve our mission of ending hunger and poverty and caring for the earth.  Examples include self-help groups, famers associations, local organizations, cooperatives, or any other organized groups who are the beneficiaries of our services.    

Measures of Success:
Heifer International South Africa’s measures of success: End of Project Status – Exit Indicators for Working with Programs and Project Groups describe the change the community wants to see at the end of our intervention (be it after one project or a series of projects with a particular community).  These changes occur within our holistic development approach which incorporates the following five aspects of wholeness:

• Physical (bodies, housing, production inputs, food, wealth)
• Mental (knowledge, skills, education, identity, attitudes)
• Spiritual (beliefs, faith, values, ethics)
• Social (harmonious community and household relationships)
• Ecological (natural resources, soil, air, water, plants, animals)

Changes can be seen at three levels following Heifer’s impact model.  On the ground changes affect the immediate environment and include meeting basic needs such as an increase or decrease in household food, income, assets, education, or health.   Below the ground the changes affect knowledge, attitudes, and fundamental values.  Above the ground changes are related to influencing and impacting the broader community, as well as regional and higher levels.  Examples include influencing changes in policies and governance, ensuring networks and groups are in place, and representation at decision-making tables.

The indicators presented below are grounded in the experience and lessons learned from development processes including Heifer’s global experience with the initiatives of gender equity, agroecology and animal well-being. 

1. Community organized and functioning as a cohesive group
   • Common vision defined
   • A defined structure exists
   • Knowledge, skills and abilities to influence policy
   • Networking with external entities to acquire and leverage resources

2. Inclusiveness integrated into practices

   • Gender equity - at least 20% increase in # of women in community leadership positions
   • Acknowledgment and acceptance of diversity

3. Community practicing Passing on the Gift

   • 100% first generation pass-ons completed
   • Mechanisms for continued pass-ons (beyond the life of the project) in place
   • Heifer Cornerstones and community values harmonized

4. Sustainable Livelihoods improved
   

   • Diversified productive activities:  at least 80% of participants will have adopted at least 2 productive activities
   • Net income increased and sustained
   • Increased/enhanced capacity, knowledge and skills:  at least 2 new skills acquired (e.g. business management, production, marketing, savings)
   • Increased access to adequate and nutritious food :  at least 80% of participants will have increased access
   • Greater power to influence policies and transform structures and processes
   • Ability to reduce vulnerability and accommodate shocks

5. Improved access to basic services (health, education, water, etc.) 

   • Awareness of available resources (what, where)
   • Capacity to access services (knowledge, link to contacts, having the resources required, e.g. financial, time)
   • Influencing  the accessibility and quality of services outside the immediate communities, and creating opportunities for others to replicate successful models

6. Natural Resource Management  

   • Incorporation of at least 2 practices by 80% of the participants that positively affect the environment, for example energy efficiency, agro-ecological practices, waste management, etc. 
   • Capacity to influence wider community in order to protect natural resource base, e.g. communal watershed management