WiLD is a Heifer International program that trains women around the world in livestock care as well as helping them work together to overcome social and cultural barriers and, ultimately, assist them in moving toward self-reliance.
Award Category 1: Grassroots Achievements
Africa
Callista Kadzere of Zimbabwe was selected as a winner. Callista stood out from all the candidates of her region because of her community leadership and her dedication to the empowerment of her fellow women. Her creativity and assertiveness enabled her to negotiate with authorities in a rather strict culture for her fellow women to have access to land for gardening. She organized and led women’s groups for economic self-reliance. Her dedication to building the self-confidence of women and to win men’s support in a non-confrontational way makes her outstanding. She is a role model for her community, especially for women.
Asia/South Pacific
Sonam Yurden of China was selected as a winner. Sonam has shown extraordinary endurance in bringing herself and her family above a poverty line. Beginning with very small input, she used her creativity to diversify her family’s livelihood. Her agricultural and weaving skills enabled her not only to establish her family economically, but also helped others to escape from poverty. Sonam is a strong and dedicated community organizer. She enabled many families to manage and organize a weaving project while simultaneously promoting women’s economic empowerment. Her leadership makes her a great achiever.
Central Eastern Europe
Anush Ghazaryan of Armenia was selected as a winner. Anush has a moving story as a true agent of holistic community development. She encouraged and mobilized older and younger generations equally for community development. Her work as a trainer and counselor for youth has opened up opportunities for many to actively participate in community development and caring for their own environment. Her leadership in initiating and implementing organic farming as an approach to sustainable food systems is remarkable. Her commitment to support her fellow women in balancing domestic and farm work, her dedication to the Cornerstones, especially self-reliance and sustainability made her stand out.
Award Category 2: Meritorious Award
Tran Thi Kim Oanh of Vietnam was selected as a winner of the Meritorious Award. She is an incredible community development agent, who is dedicated to the success of others. She is an excellent organizer, trainer and encourager. She is committed to Heifer’s work to the extent of sacrificing her weekends to help communities and the self-help groups to establish and to build their capacities through training. Even though she works for the government, her voluntary work with Heifer is out of dedication to community empowerment. As a woman, as a mother, and as a professional, she learned how to balance worklife and family. She has become an example for many women in her communities.
Support the work of Heifer International’s WiLD programs by contributing to the following Interests:
Mildred P. Lynan WiLD Interest