The Heifer Global Village
Shepherd's Spring will soon begin construction of a Heifer Global Village, a site complete with international homes, gardens and animals that represent several of the countries in which Heifer International works to improve people's sources of nutrition and income through the gift of livestock and training. The Heifer Global Village is one method that Heifer, a non-profit organization working to end world hunger and poverty in a way that cares for the earth, uses to raise awareness of hunger and poverty.

The Heifer Global Village at Shepherd's Spring will expand Heifer's educational reach and assist Shepherd's Spring in its ability to promote peace, justice and understanding among the world's people. The experience-based Heifer Global Village programs explore the issues of global poverty and hunger while challenging people to examine their own habits, consumption patterns and beliefs to become more responsible global citizens.

Construction and implementation of the Heifer Global Village sites and programs will occur in stages. On September 30, 2007, Shepherd's Spring will host a groundbreaking event to prepare the land. In spring 2008, the construction of the Guatemala site begins. With Guatemala, a simple concrete house with gardens and small animals, completed, Shepherd's Spring will offer its first program by late spring or early summer 2008.

Through the Heifer Global Village, Shepherd's Spring plans to eventually include four different programs and a total of seven homes including Guatemala, Mozambique, Kenya, China, Thailand, the United States and a refugee site. All homes are expected to be completed by spring 2009 with the final program being implemented by fall 2009.

The Heifer Global Village at Shepherd's Spring will sit on 10 acres with approximately 1/2 acre for each site. The Village construction costs are estimated at $120,000. Shepherd's Spring is currently accepting donations to fund this project.