Bill Clinton Urges World to Aid the Poor

Former President Bill Clinton hugs Ellie Guettler, 7, after dedication ceremonies Thursday, March 16, 2006, of Heifer International's headquarters building in Little Rock, Ark. The girl from Atlanta raised $5,000 during a two-year period for the charity that provides animals to poor families around the world. (AP Photo/David Quinn)

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. -- Former President Clinton welcomed Heifer International to his neighborhood Thursday, dedicating the charity's new world headquarters with a plea for everyone to "give them your hand" and fight hunger.

"Ordinary people of modest means have the power to change lives half a world away," Clinton said in a two-hour ceremony that featured music and dance from among the 50 countries that Heifer serves.

Heifer International provides livestock to poor families, plus training on how to help them produce an income. The families who receive the animals _ from cattle to ducks to bees _ are expected to pass the animals' offspring to others.
Heifer International enjoys a higher profile overseas than it does at home and Thursday's dedication aimed to draw more attention to its work through appearances by Clinton and Jeffrey Sachs, director of the United Nations anti-poverty Millennium Project.

Heifer International is part of a philanthropic corridor developing along the Arkansas River. Clinton's library and school of public service are next door to Heifer International and the region is also home to Winrock International, which runs programs worldwide to help rural residents achieve a balance between food and income while managing natural resources.

Roughly 500 people attended the dedication.

© 2006 The Associated Press

Michael McCafferty comments:

I am inspired by the humanitarian good works of former President Bill Clinton. He truly is a caring and compassionate statesman.

Like President Clinton we all should do our part to aid the poor in the world and that is why my family recently adopted a child in Africa through the
Foster Parents Plan of Canada.