Global Citizen
E-Newsletter    


4 star charity navigator logo BBB charity logo

From Aid Recipients to Philanthropists
Women in Nepal have taken to heart Heifer International’s well-known “Pass on the Gift” philosophy. As they have prospered, these former recipients of aid have themselves become philanthropists, in the process assisting not only other members of their community, but also those in need in other countries.

Through Heifer’s Nepal project, the original 25-member women’s group from 1993 has been responsible for forming 112 other women’s groups. The groups have touched 2,800 families, with documented pass-ons of goats to the 8th generation.

Heifer Nepal Women's Group
Nepal Women's Group passes on a surprise donation to Hurricane Katrina victims. (Photo: Heifer International)
For these women, the passing on of gifts does not end with goats, however. The Women’s Group Coordination Committee has shared much more. Each woman in the group saved rice and together they accumulated a large pile to give to other needy families in their community.

They also funded a scholarship to allow a young girl to go to school. Reaching out of their immediate community, the women also wanted to help Hurricane Katrina victims and made a donation to aid Heifer recipients affected by the catastrophic hurricane.

The Women’s Committee presented the donation to Nepal Country Director Dr. Shubh Mahato, who immediately passed on the gift to Heifer’s visiting Vice President of Education Anne Harper.

Global Impact member charities are guided by the philosophy that people need assistance that will allow them to be successful on their own. These women have shown that such aid has a ripple effect, forming an ever-widening circle.