\u201cOur holistic approach to ending hunger and poverty is what makes our work effective,\u201d Munson says. Since dire straits have no single culprit, the solution must address all causes. Values-based holistic community development (VBHCD) is the multi-pronged approach Heifer uses. \u201cIt means we work directly with small-scale farmers and their families to identify what they need to thrive,\u201d Munson explains. Project participants \u2014 many of them women \u2014 receive training and assets: gifts of livestock, seeds and trees, access to clean water and improved sanitation and hygiene. In this way, Heifer ensures those with little opportunity get the tools to lift themselves out of poverty.<\/p>\n Heifer employs in-country teams who speak the language and understand the culture and issues that contribute to hunger, poverty and marginalization. This accelerates the process of inclusion, which is inherent in Heifer\u2019s holistic approach. These teams work throughout the life of a project to train leaders to continue the work after Heifer is gone. \u201cThis is the true sustainability of Heifer\u2019s model,\u201d Munson says. \u201cCommunities learns to be self-reliant, independent.\u201d This thread is continued with Passing on the Gift\u00ae, a promise each recipient makes to pass on gifts of training and livestock to other members in the community. With a typical \u201cpass on\u201d rate of seven to nine generations, the offspring of each original animal benefits seven to nine more families. \u201cWe have seen this incredible model build social capital and foster inclusion in an amazing way,\u201d Munson says.<\/p>\n Countless incredible women have emerged from Heifer\u2019s fold. \u201cI\u2019ve met so many strong, brilliant women during my time at Heifer,\u201d Munson says, including Fanny in the mangroves of Ecuador. Fanny is an activist and fierce advocate for families whose livelihoods on the coast have been threatened by the invasion of large shrimping companies. \u201cThey buy up all the land,\u201d Munson explains, \u201cand clear cut the precious mangrove forests, ruining the natural ecosystem by setting up artificial shrimp ponds that leak chemicals and toxins into the communities\u2019 water supply.\u201d These people used to have an abundance of crab, shrimp, mussels and clams. Now they have barely enough to feed their families. Fanny\u2019s work to defend the rights of the community and protect the mangroves is dangerous. She\u2019s been shot at, threatened, and witnessed a number of atrocities,\u201d Munson says. \u201cShe\u2019s seen defiant community members killed and entire hamlets of houses burned down as warnings to stop interfering.\u201d Nevertheless, Fanny continues to persist to address food insecurity, and for the mangroves, hoping to one day regain all that\u2019s been lost.<\/p>\n![\"Fanny](\"https:\/\/worldwomanfoundation.com\/girlstalkstem\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/09\/Fanny_Heifer-200x300.jpeg\")