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April 2005 From the Director Ark Sets Sail in spring floods! Down the rain-swelled Contoocook River to the sea, and on to tsunami affected parts of Asia and Africa, an arkload of farm livestock to restart family farms devastated by the December 26 tidal wave makes its way from the Monadnock Region bearing the good wishes and close to $6,000 of animals through Heifer International, a revolving livestock fund that raises whole villages out of famine in the developing world. The "Monadnock ARK" was coordinated by Mariposa Museum of World Cultures at 26 Main Street in Peterborough with the aid of two churches, three schools, and Amber Moon retail shop in Keene. "Thanks to students' imaginative fundraising, the sums of money raised by small groups of young children, parents and teachers cooperating together is really astounding," says Museum Director Linda Marsella, adding "they really challenge us adults! And then they all sent their individual donations of $450-$2500 to us to become part of something bigger that had seized their imagination - the ark!" Funds raised by schoolchildren were supplemented by individual donations, a gift of the Methodist Church of Peterborough and the "2004 customer wishing well" at Amber Moon on Main Street in Keene. Heifer International, with sixty years of development experience in the field, operates a revolving livestock fund. After 18 months of training in animal husbandry and gender issues about care of the animal chosen as suitable to the area, breeding pairs of goats, sheep, pigs, rabbits or flocks of chickens and ducks (even beehives and worms to aerate the soil!) are distributed to families who will pass on the offspring to the next family in line, and so on until the village attains freedom from hunger. Projects usually run just five years and accomplish their ambitious goals quickly through Heifer's excellent training and the motivation of families to help their neighbors on the waiting list as soon as possible. The 22 students at Dublin Community Church Sunday School, K-8th, raised some $2500 by setting up an information table in the church vestry every Sunday in Advent and selling a "share of Heifer" to parishioners to give as Christmas gifts. Additional townspeople contributed at Carr's Store, where Yummy Cady, superintendent of the Sunday School, set up an additional display. She says, "Some families did ALL their Christmas shopping with Heifer, one-stop shopping!" This was the sixth year the school has supported Heifer. Previously, they raised money for chicks & bunnies, then a goat, next a water buffalo, a heifer, and last year an entire $5,000 ark, with help from the Church Aid Committee. They also enjoy visiting the "Living Nativity" at Heifer's Overlook Farm in Massachusetts at Christmastime. The South Meadow School Student Council, grades 5-8 in Peterborough, brainstormed "a wave of helping hands" to repair the vast damage of the tsunami waves. With the support of art teacer Sally Keller, they created a huge mural across much of the school wall. Teachers, students and parents paid 50 cents for each handprint (initialled) which they placed on "the wave" to provide color and beauty. They also ran a popular "Hat Day" when students pay for the privilege to wear a Hat, normally not allowed. Some students were volunteer gift wrappers at Christmas at EMS and gave the donations they received for this service to the Heifer fund. Their total donation came to some $500! The twelve members of Mondnock Waldorf School's sixth grade in Keene, inspired by teacher Katie Schwerin, came up with other ideas, including a money jar outside the class door (simple and yet reportedly very successful!). They also ran bagel sales and knitted scarves for sale to raise some $400! Parents and teachers were motivated to help, and administrator Lisa Mahar says it was a perfect project for the age group, which is learning about geography and living conditions worldwide. Also, students created book bags with school supplies for the hard-hit town of Galle, Sri Lanka, which were delivered by pilgrims going for the the blessing of a newly built peace pagoda there, which miraculously survived the floods and punishing/pounding waves. And additional donation of $175 more was received just April 6 after more fundraising at the school in Keene! At Mariposa Museum, there are several Heifer displays and the opportunity to borrow a short and effective Heifer video about either children, women, or conservation in developing countries. Each donor receives a lovely accordion fold card to give to the person in whose name the gift is dedicated. Thanks to Pear Tree Studio and Joseph's Coat PeaceCrafts, one can also purchase a small trinket, such as a stuffed chick or chick puppet, to go with the Heifer card. For more information, please visit Mariposa's website at www.mariposamuseum.org or call (603) 924-4555 or visit www.heifer.org Consider a Heifer donation in your mother's or father's name as an appropriate gift for upcoming Mother's Day, May 8, and Father's Day in June. Heifer gift cards are free with a donatioin, either online or at the Museum. "Beatrice's Goat," a children's picture book about Heifer's work in one village in Africa, makes a fine gift and is available at The Toadstool, Joseph's Coat PeaceCrafts, and at Mariposa Museum (the latter is open weekdays 12-5, Sat 10-4, Sun 11-4, First Fridays to 9pm). Proceeds go to Heifer, of course! Give a goat for a change! A virtual water buffalo? "I got one a few years back for my birthday, and was thrilled," says Marsella. Having completed this phase of its tsunami relief drive, the museum is turning its attention to projects in Africa that have been underfunded lately because the public has earmarked so many donations for tsunami relief. Over four years, from start to finish, the museum will be following, supporting and learning about a livestock project in the Ashante tribal area of Ghana where the primary activity will be beekeeping. Look for an announcement of a sllide program on this topic shortly. Principal Nikki McGettigan of Temple School and the Heifer home office in Arkansas will be hellping Mariposa adapt this new approach to involving young people in rural development over time into concrete lesson plans for schools. To participate or volunteer, please contact museum coordinator Mary Blake at (603) 924-4555. Sincerely,  Linda Marsella, Director Mariposa Museum & World Culture Center 26 Main Street Peterborough, NH 03458 "From the Director" Archive New Year Celebrations Around The World - December, 2005 Holiday Message - December, 2005 Miscellaneous - October, 2005 Miscellaneous - September, 2005 Letter of Thanks - August, 2005 Mariposa at the Crossroads - July, 2005 Call for Entries - July 2005 Ark Sets Sail in spring floods! - April 2005 New Year Around the Globe - February 2005 Mariposa Turns Two! - July 2004 other cultures, the world will know more peace and less war. 
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