Dan West -A man with and idea. In the 1930's West was an American relief worker. He ladled out milk to a never ending line of refuges during the Spanish Civil War. The experience was so profound. that West came to believe that only long term solution to the hungry was to give the hungry the means to take care of themselves.
NOT A CUP, BUT A COW.
With local farmers and church members they raise the money to send the cows to the people that needed them The name of "Seagoing Cowboys" were given to the men and woman that went with the Heifers to make sure they man the journey safely and went to the needy. From Not A Cup, But a Cow today we have Heifer international organization that is here in Little Rock. Now the cows are purchased in the country that needs the help and that helps with the cost of the program.
We were given a quiz about the Heifer and I didn't do so good. In fact I don't think I answered a question right. The guide ask us to give an "M" word that shows all the parts that were used when receiving a heifer. I didn't have the picture at that time or I would have done better.
Families all over the world and that includes the United States benefit from the Heifer program. Cows, chickens, goats and other animals are given to families and then taught how to care and feed them. The Heifer is a pregnant female cow. (I didn't know that) When the heifer delivers and it is a female then it is to be given to another family to raise and the gift just keeps giving. Because of the first gift the family begins to improve their livelihood and then education is then encourage to help the family even more.
I wanted to tell you a little about the building. It is a Green building meaning it was built using refurbished materials. This building is in the top 10 of the Green Buildings in the United State and the only one in Arkansas. The shape of the building was designed to make the most of the light from the sun. The building does not even have main lighting because of its shape and position of the building. If they have a dark day small can lights are used. Thirty percent of the electricity comes from solar panels. All of the wires and pipes are in the floor so when repairs are needed they just lift up sections of the floor.
To get the land ready, all the soil had to be removed. It was sent off to be cleaned up and then brought back. The vertical pictures you see is hiding a water catcher. All the materials for the building were purchased within 500 miles. The glass for the building was purchased from the company next door. The counter tops looks just like regular counter tops but they were made from repurposed coke bottles. The flooring is refurbished carpet squares. I wish I could remember more because the building was so amazing.
The parking lot where the cars sit has a grate and gravel on it with a system that catches the rain. water and funnels it where it is needed. Nothing goes to waste and that is what is amazing.
There is a mote all the way around the building. See the little turtle in the middle of the picture. Parts of the grounds look like marsh land, such as reeds and Cyprus knees are growing. The grounds were just beautiful. They just looked so natural, even the weeds.
As you know I collect salt wells so I will so excited to find one in the gift shop. I wanted one of everything but I just purchase two children's books as Christmas gifts.
This outing was very enjoyable. Can't wait until the next one.
