Can a Chicken Save Your Life?

The other day I happened to receive a flyer in the mail regarding a sustainable international aid organization, Heifers International. From what I understand, you have the option to purchase a gift of an animal such as sheep, goats, cows, chickens, etc., are given to individuals in need in various countries. For twenty dollars, you can gift a family with a flock of chickens, providing eggs, meat and fertilizer. Their responsibility is to pass the offspring of these animals to other people. It just struck me that in our society we have forgotten the meaning of sustainability. If the corporate farms suddenly stopped producing meat and vegetable products, our country would be faced with a crisis. Yet we have backed ourselves into this corner. Is our lifestyle ethical? I think that most folks today would have little or no idea how to begin caring for a flock of chickens, which are saving lives in impoverished nations. We take such things as eggs and meat for granted while they are a rarity to others. www.heifer.org