b'horizonsDear Determined Humanitarians,SINCE STEPPING IN AS PRESIDENT AND CEO OF HEIFER INTERNATIONAL IN OCTOBER 2022, I have had many firsts. I have gotten to know our dedicated staff, our life-changing global projects and the inspiring smallholder farmer communities we partner with around the world. Its with gratitude I now enjoy another of these experiencesmy introduction to you, our generous supporters who help make this work possible.Ive had the privilege to work in law, philanthropy and international development, and whats special about Heifer is our focus on farmers and their families and putting them at the center of all we do. As we continue to grapple with inequality, poverty, conflict, climate change and an ensuing food crisis, I believe the solutions for these families are to be found in working together, with you and the farmers, governments and partners in the countries where we have a deep presence.What I know after more than 20 years in international development is that women play a pivotal role in findingYoull also meet other mothers, like 22-year-old Robina resolutions to the intractable challenge of addressingAkello (Page 20), who prove that investing in women is a hunger and poverty. With the right support and resources,direct investment in family and community well-being. women are catalysts for transformation, able toWith the support of Heifer and her youth cooperative, strengthen their families, villages and societies at large.Robina is using agriculture to build a life for herself and Youll read about this tremendous potential and impacther young son in an area of Uganda where poverty is throughout the following pages.rampant and job opportunities are scarce.In this issue youll meet Kusu Maya Malla (Page 10), aIm honored to be part of an organization whose mother of three in central Nepal who became avalues align with mine, chief among them the steady community animal health service provider through anbelief that working to lift smallholder farmers and their innovative online training offered by Heifer. The remotefamilies to a Sustainable Living Income requires paying training option opened doors for Kusu, who was limitedattention to everyone in their households equally. I thank both by the COVID-19 lockdown and heavy householdyou for your tremendous support of our efforts and look burdens at home. Now, shes earning her own income forforward to partnering with you in the years to come.the first time, the effect of which is rippling through her family and rural communityKusu provides critical veterinary services to 600 local farming households. Yours in unity, Youll learn how the women of Abihuje farmers group in Bugeshi, Rwanda, started a savings and loan system among themselves and how it has changed their lives (Page 16). As the groups treasurer Vestine Icyimanizanye says, access to these basic financial tools can be the basisSurita Sandoshamfor a transformational journey.@HeiferCEOHEIFER.ORG |1'