Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

Prescott Group Attends Heifer Project Camp

World hunger, starvation and the Barter system was on the minds of the youths in BM- GW (Boys to Men and Girls to Women) as they traveled to the Heifer Project International (HPI) Camp near Perryville on Friday, March 26. Not knowing that they were in for a big surprise that night, the youths had to use their wits in order to prepare for the evening meal and lodging accommodations.

Later that afternoon they were assigned to primitive living villages. The living conditions of each camp represented the actual living conditions of very poor huts in Africa, Guatemala, Appalachia and some improvised sights in the U.S.

They were given certain rations for the evening meal and they had to barter with their neighboring villages for other items needed to finish cooking dinner. The villages had concrete and dirt floors, some had bunk beds with no mattresses. Others had no beds. They had to use sleeping bags.

The temperature was in the lower 30's. Some of the campers were cold at night; others slept like kings. It was a rough night and everyone was happy to see Saturday morning.

The objective was to teach them how to survive in a very poor living environment and to utilize the barter (trading goods for items they do not have) system.

All participants gained an enlightened understanding of impoverished third world countries and what can be done to alleviate hunger and starvation in the world and how neighboring villages rely on each other for survival.

After a long night at the villages the youths now have a better appreciation for shelter, food and other amenities provided by their parents. This experiences will live with them for the rest of their lives.

HPI was established to assist impoverished countries with very chronic health and living conditions. Heifers are given to families of less fortunate countries for the following reasons: money, meat, milk, muscles, materials, manure and motivation, thus improving their living conditions. The first heifer off-spring is to be passed on to another poor family in the village, continuing the cycle.

HPI, a non-profit organization, has helped more than one million impoverished families throughout the world become more self-reliant through gifts of livestock and training in their care.

Twenty-three youths and four adults participated in this weekend event.