Where does one start to help young children begin to develop a sense of social responsibility and respond to those who may be less economically fortunate? With the help of Heifer International, the Children’s Studio found a way by starting with something children could easily relate to and understand. In this case, it was animals. By the time children are in Pre-Kindergarten, they know a surprising amount about animals and their habitats.

Heifer was started in 1944 and is now involved in 125 countries. They “support long- term development rather than short-term relief.” They are vested in helping and planting the seeds of hope by teaching someone how to fish rather then by giving someone a fish. Heifer organizes funding to purchase animals for individuals in poor villages around the world. This not only helps feed a family but eventually may change a community. A donation of as little as $20.00 will purchase a flock of geese. These geese will eat weeds and unwanted insects, serve as watchdogs, and their eggs will provide much needed protein for a family. Most important, the geese will multiply and become a vital link in a sustainable cycle of continued growth.

Our Pre-Kindergarten children are introduced to the Heifer organization through its catalogue and after much group discussion an appropriate animal gift is chosen. The children, in concert with their parents, find a chore to do at home for which they receive a small payment. Class members contribute their earnings. The class money is pooled and a donation is made. In this way we promote planting the seeds of hope along with planting the seeds of caring and social responsibility.
 

— PHOTO SUPPLIED BY HEIFER INTERNATIONAL