(a) 70% of the world’s population drinks goat’s milk, not cow’s milk. Goat’s milk is much easier to digest. Most of the dairy projects where Heifer works employ goats, not cows (partly because they are small, easily managed, but also because their milk is easier to digest). Heifer also uses 32 different kinds of livestock, so it’s not all about dairy, but rather about giving people a form of self-reliance.

(b) The milk from Heifer goats, water buffaloes, camels, and yes, cows, is a valuable source of protein for people who are often living on the edge. People who receive gifts from Heifer are able to feed their families the milk from these animals, and then to sell the excess milk to send their children to school.

(c) Heifer spends 6 months to 2 years working with and training communities re: the proper care and management of their animals (prior to their receiving them). They also work to help the people choose indigenous and appropriate animals to the culture and climate in which they live. They would not, for example, use camels in Eastern Europe.
They have also worked hard to reintroduce animals that have been wiped out (e.g. Alpacas in Ecuador – their soft padded feet are much easier on the fragile Paramo than the sheep that had been introduced years ago). That is part of the environmental component that goes into each Heifer project. Heifer works hard to ensure their projects are sustainable and work to help the people and the environment. Learn more at heifer.org

(d) While you are certainly entitled to your opinion, the rude dismissal of the fundraising goal of this wonderful website, makes you look not like a goat, but rather like a jack*ss.

Let’s keep going until we help these folks hit their goal!

PS I’m wondering if some people aren’t getting it–I’m seeing way fewer posts at this entry! ;(

Also, the idea of introducing new, non-native animals and plants into ecosystems that are already rather fragile should alarm any student of environmental science.

Finally, Heifer is promoting a Western-style diet rich in fats and protein, which is perhaps not suited for every poor person in the world.

I’m all right with donating a dollar (for a grand total of $33 for this site, which makes that cap of $1,500 all the more humorous) to get my views out there.