Our Values-based Holistic Community Development Approach

Heifer Philippines is working to end the hunger and poverty of poor families through its values-based holistic community development (VBHCD) approach. Through the VBHCD, the human and personal values of project families are strengthened with the help of the Cornerstones. And with the use of the gifts of animals, training, farm materials, and livelihood inputs, the families are empowered to work for their own sustainable development and their communities.

Through a triadic partnership model, Heifer Philippines closely accompanies its NGO partners to bring VBHCD to project families. It carefully monitors and supports the progress of project families by regularly conducting the Participatory Self-review and Planning Process (PSRP). Below are the stages in which Heifer Philippines works to bring values-based holistic development to poor families:

1. Group formation
Project families organize themselves into self-help groups (SHG). Each SHG is composed of around 20-25 members fully committed to help one another uplift their lives.

2. Reinforcing the Cornerstones
The NGO partner shares Heifer’s Cornerstones to the SHG and, through series of reflection sessions, uses these to focus the members on common values. The group members often discover that the values they practice are similar to Heifer’s and blend these with the Cornerstones. Integration of held values by SHG members and Heifer-espoused values and principles, embodied in the Cornerstones, happens at this stage. The SHG then formulate their vision statement following enriched human values.

3. Physical and technical inputs
The project families receive the gifts of animals, trainings, improved technologies, and even micro-fund to start up savings, livelihood enterprises, and various economic activities. Families in the SHG are now equipped with tools to develop their community, and to transform self as they think best.

4. Empowerment
With the values, hope, resources, skills, knowledge and opportunities they received from Heifer, the SHG now work beyond their own domestic and livestock development. The group begins to help other needy families in the community collectively by passing on the gifts they received previously. They also work to address larger issues and tap additional resources to bring holistic development to the entire community. 

5. Sustainable and holistic development
As every community member becomes empowered, they now become donors and help other communities in need. A new holistic development cycle begins in another community. The SHG become more cohesive as they undertake more tangible projects and activities benefiting their community itself and those of others.