1033 PICS

One Goat at a Time: Showing the Heifer Project Change Lives & Better the World

"Give a man a fish, you feed him for a day. Teach a man to fish and you feed him for a lifetime." Photography of real lives changed by Heifer reveal the power of giving people a means to support themselves. Stories of change & hope. PIC me.

My dream assignment takes me around the world, starting with the United States, to show the real lives touched by Project Heifer around the globe. Heifer provides small livestock and training to impoverished people, empowering them to change their lives, their communities and their childrens' futures. You can learn more about this non-profit organization here: http://www.heifer.org

As an experienced editorial photographer, I often show problems: poverty, health risks, youth in crisis or environmental challenge. My dream assignment is showing solutions, by telling stories of lives changed, generationally, and empowered through Heifer projects on several continents. I will make a series of trips telling the stories of Heifer International projects. I'll show the lives, relationships and essence of giving people a way to support themselves, through the animals & the training for sustainable agriculture.

Many groups offer microinvestments and training to create societal change, few are so wonderfully simple and so visually embodied as Heifer. For example: women in rural India keeping Heifer donated bees and chickens can earn money at home for the first time in their lives. They can feed their families, and their children can attend school , breaking a chain of uneducated poverty in the community. A generation has hope, and real change is created.

I will show a wide range of projects Heifer runs, from agricultural initiatives in rural Mississippi that target disenfranchised youth, to indigenous peoples in Brazil regaining their foothold near decimated rain forest, to earthquake victims in Sichuan China getting back to their farming lives with new livestock, to Senegalese farmers diversifying their crops to preserve traditional ways of life.

There's a powerful connection between people, animals & the earth- that is something I learned and photographed while staying on farms across the United States for my book Shear Spirit, about fiber farming. While the scope of this dream assignment is challenging, I have the skills, energy and experience to make it happen. Please view my professional website at http://www.gzucker.com .

I’m able to work and handle difficult situations, am an experienced traveler and have gained access to private lives, respectfully, in every kind of setting. I have a reputation for working with light quickly and professionally, technical expertise is critical in situations where I may only have a fleeting chance to show a connection, a spark, a smile or a beam of light. (see an article about me as Lighting Master in Photo District News, linked from the news page on my website) . I work hard to fully tell the stories I see through photography, I believe in its power to connect and persuade.

The thousands of images I make will spread the ideas of making the world better by empowering others, and will give Heifer a huge library of difficult (and otherwise expensive) to photograph subjects. They can use these to document, fundraise, educate and publicize their projects.

Pick my dream assignment and know you will be multiplying any donation you’ve ever made to create change in the lives of others. I promise you I will make good on the plan!

Rank: 19

102 Comments

FatherJohn

Good luck, Gale. I voted for your dream. May you find success with it, if not here than in other ways. Pay it Forward. My dream is for the Children of the World. Remember that you can vote for your own dream.

copilot

Good luck, great cause

BarakaPhotos

Great cause. You might also consider applying for the Getty Images "project for good" competition - proposals due April 15. And in the meantime - please vote for other ideas in this competition that share your desire to have multiplier effects for good in the world. (Mine is in Afghanistan.)

mcaphoto

Great idea. Come check mine out.

www.tinyurl.com/voteformcaphoto

anniemaude

Good luck Gale, I really like your idea. I can hardly wait to hear when you get it!

PurlingDervish

Love the idea. I'm going to share it on my blog too. Not that I have a ton of readers... but it could help.

willbaxter

Never heard of Project Heifer. Very cool. Voted for you. Feel free to return the favor. My project is to document the political turmoil and rights abuses in Zimbabwe.

jbrownphoto

Great idea Gale. I really like this organization and have always wondered about the stories of the people who benefit from this organization. Some friends donated a goat in honor of our wedding. Can you track it down?!!! Good luck.

VLMothes

Good luck, Gale!!

margenesmith

Go Gale, Go!!!

ellblo

Excellent idea, Gale! Best of luck!

Ellen B.

mlegan

Voted for you. and can i come along, and like carry your luggage, i mean I did do that tiger hat....

marlajm

I would be happy to be your assistant! Good luck. MM

burrobird

What a beautiful dream assignment! I would vote for you, but can't get it to take my vote.

dotdotdot

Can't think of a better photographer (or person) to take on this assignment!

innatephoto

My family has supported the Heiffer Project for years, we incorporate it into our CHristmas gifts every season. Good luck!!! I voted. If you have a moment, please check out my project. You can also watch a video on it: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ma-5ZO4kU4w

mwindisch

I voted for you - please check out the following project! http://www.nameyourdreamassignment.com/the-ideas/richs85/making-peace-with-the-world-peace-corps-at-50/

richs85

I voted for you. The Heifer Project is very worthy.

hemaliz

Voted for you
Please vote for me too
My Work - www.hemaliphotography.com/fineart.html

http://www.nameyourdreamassignment.com/the-ideas/hemaliz/reminiscence-memories-from-childhood/

Ugh

Good luck Gale!!!

rbwriter

Best of luck Gale! sounds like a fabulous project and a great idea!

jroccapriore

Good luck, Gale!
Joanne Ferreira

margaretc

What a wonderful way to use your talent, Gale. Love your sheep shots -- can't wait for the goats and the rest! (Oh, and the people, of course) :) Good luck!

woolspice

What a great idea! I hope you win. I'll be looking forward to hearing the good news.

knotminding

Fabulous idea, good luck Gale! I hope you win!

CindyCindy

Best of luck. You got my vote.

jenben450362002

Your vote is in from me-good luck!

ashayne

Lovely, lovely idea for a project. Wish I could vote more than once for you!

wysokowski

Good luck. I have given to this charity for several years--it is one of my very favorites.

mangofeet

Go, Gale!

cbrownphoto

Great idea, Gale.

ryderphoto

Go get 'em Gale!!
It's a great idea and the Heifer Project sounds like it does a wonderful job providing long term, sustainable solutions to those in need.

cklimasz

I know your work through the great MDK gals and enjoy every bit of it. This is such a perfect project - I am keeping my fingers crossed for you!!! Best of luck!!!

gcc1970

Gale is a great photographer, a gracious person, and she has choses a terrific organization to profile.

eblakley

Good luck to you!

Suzanneb116

We make Heifer donations every year at Christmas - I would love to also have pictures to include with the gift card.

sampry

Good luck Gale. You got my vote. It's a great idea.

Jasperwrath

great thing to do

ksidwell

Good Luck!!!

sujatasrinivasan

This is a great idea, Gale. Good luck, don't give up on this project no matter what the outcome of this contest is. Good luck, I voted for you and will spread the word among Facebook network.

gwynne

Great idea, you deserve to win!

sjmattson

Good luck, Gale! :)

msandy

What a fantastic goal...I hope you win and I get to see your final project. I think we desperately need some 'good news' and yours is just the sort I'd love to sink my teeth - and eyes - into! Best of luck!!

instudiox

I like your idea, check out mine and vote for me if you like it. Its about poverty and society in 3rd world countries and how they are controlled, devastated by their governments and western industrialized nations.

catwalk82

i voted for you! I love your project idea! Best wishes!

vmedgyesi

Fantastic project idea. If you need a writer to come with, I'm there.

lulubird

I know a good asst with flexible schedule, can chsse sheep at hi altitude, style frenchfries, project manage multiple location calendars, write a press release, and shmooze a gallery-full...just at thought.

Stormy

Good luck Gail! Love your idea/dream!

brucek

Gail - there could be no one better than you for this opportunity. Good luck!

lmcgdriscollfelber

Gale - I love the Heifer project! Good luck!

kkt

Good luck, Gale! I hope you get this! - Kristine

thecrazysheeplady

Good luck Gale!

RedDaLeftyKnitter

I love it! You are just so talented and I thank you for sharing!! I hope to see more of your work as time goes by!

Ritaz

Go Gale, your a super photographer...good luck

xooberknitter

Wonderful idea, Gale. Fingers crossed for you!

annhbu

I really hope you win because I would love to see photos of this! What a wonderful dream!

bluegoat

Gail your the best! Go for it! May you win and win big!

bethreynolds

Dream Big, Gale. We're all purling, I mean pulling, for you.

margirex

What a wonderful project, Gale! I can't wait to see the photos.

mirraminta

brillianr

jennyheard

I think this is a great idea. Good luck. You have my support.

sshutan

Gale- wonderful idea full of good will. I voted for you and will forward this to my list of friends- Suzan

gracielee

Great project...the mason dixon girls sent me here!

Heifergal

What a wonderful idea! Good luck, Gale.

hbreetz

What a beautiful idea! I love that you are focusing on authentic and focused solutions, rather than a spacey concept like 'hope.' Your photography is gorgeous, and your connection with the animals come through so beautifully -- I hope you win!

Knerkin

I'm tempted to create 1000 e-mail accounts and vote 1000 times. Sigh. One person, one vote, but a heart full of hope that, for the World's sake, you win.

liz456

best wishes gale we red scarves support you

marthajbates

Good idea, good cause - you'd do a fabulous job!!

ericorner

Gale Zucker is one of the best editorial photographers in the business. I am very enthusiastic about her project involving Project Heifer. Through her photography Gale exposes her audience to aspects of life one is surprised by, teaches you things you didn't know and have never seen...

sheepish

Project Heifer needs Gale's photography skills to promote a wider knowledge and understanding of the program, which is, by the way, excellant.

livnletlrn

This assignment would not only shed light on challenges faced around the world, but also a sustainable and practical solution. Combined with what would undoubtedly be stellar photography, as Gale has performed for years, this project is important and appealing on many levels.

nyartgirl

Good luck Gale. This is an inspiring project. I hope you win!!

MariAngel

I love the focus on how goats will help the world. They are fantastic animals. Small, yet every part is useful and they leave a much smaller carbon footprint on the world as opposed to a cow, even if you have enough goats to add up to a cow.

Good luck. It's a worthwhile cause.

MariAngel

oiquilt

Great idea. Positive. Hope inspiring. And very concrete.

Rayzl

Good luck

dgalerj

Great idea! Good luck with it.

jcoop

a knitty tweet sent me here and am so glad to have a chance to vote for you--love your book AND love Heifer International. So the thought of your photographing of their work is so exciting! Could you slip a pattern or two in with the photographs? just kidding. Good Luck!!!

fiberfreek

Good Luck!!!! Can't wait to see you published!!!!!!

dafsoltes

Dafna, Daniel, Arielle and Navah love your idea Gale. We voted and good luck!

Joypebble

Gale! I know your work and it is stunning and arresting. You'll be a giant asset to anybody that helps you do your "heart" project.

I'll be waving, tossing water bottles and yelling for you.

Joypebble (you know who...)

Rooie

Good luck, Gale. Love your work and wish you all the luck in the world.

lmek2cr8

I have supported Heifer Project through my church in the past. Great Organization doing amazing things!

Emmamp

Good luck Gail.

Emma & Co.

lemontine

Good luck!!!

Wendy

patbernau

Good Luck. My daughter in law's father was with the group of farmers who delivered the first heifer. We are very proud of that slim thread of attachment to this group and support it as often as we can. In my opinion it is one of the really effective projects that will lead to world peace.

Woolanthrope

Good Luck!

knitterbeader

Good luck, Gale. I just contributed to the Heifer Project this past Sunday at our church - $ for chickens!

dtjacobson

Good luck, Gale!

anphoe

Good Luck!!!

Heppy

Gale, this is a wonderful idea. I believe that Heifer is one of the most effective organizations for helping those in need, and they would be more so if only more people knew about them and what they do. Your dream would make the dreams of many more people come true. Best wishes!

RavelledSleave

I voted. Best of luck; this is a truly worthy project.

surivetzky

Hi Gale, hope this vote helps. Good luck to you.

ceilidh96jh

Good Luck. Loved Shear Spirit and this proposal is fabulous.

yinandyarn

Good Luck, Gale! I hope you win.
:-)
Denise

k1rstn

I've rec'd info on Heifer Int'l and find it fascinating. I love that you're wanting to share that with those who don't know about it. (Also the goats on your blog's post are super cute!)

mylesoneill

Good luck :D

smsknits

Heifer International is a great organization. I hope you make it. Good luck!

MaiaD

Heifer is my favorite charity and fiber is my favorite hobby. What could be a better pairing? Good luck!!!

Toddman

Good Luck Gale!
Todd

gagliajn

Great idea--I love Project Heifer!

juliafc

good luck to you and heifer, Gale

sirotarosenthal

my favorite charity..such good work,you are a natural for it.

judy