In my opinion....Send a Cow
SEND A COW
“Send a Cow started when some British farmers were watching a programme about African farmers struggling to survive. They joked about sending some of their own fine cattle, but from this first silly suggestion grew a charity with a determination to improve the lives of poor farmers in developing countries.
They do literally take cows and other livestock, improving the gene-pool of the local animals by cross-breeding. They provide training in animal care and farming methods, research accessible technology and run health-care classes.
Everyone who receives an animal is expected to pass on the first-born kid or calf to another family; even seeds from fruit trees are passed on. Those who receive training are expected to train their neighbours.
Recently, they sent me a story of a woman in Ethiopia who was given training and a metal stove pipe and roofing. From this she built a cook-house and efficient oven. She made each brick herself from local mud. She can now cook for and feed her extended family and the orphans she cares for more hygienically and using much less wood.
The result of these small gifts and training (and a great deal of hard work from the people themselves) is that the crops are increased, children are fed and educated, diets are improved and simple medicines are purchased. Community life is grown and the standing of widows improved.”