INNOVATION IN FARMING: HASHOO FOUNDATION ADDED TWO OSTRICHES TO ITS MODEL DAIRY FARM IN BALAKOT

The ostriches were imported by Dr. Muqarab and were kept in Jabba Sheep & Goat Research farm with the objective of introducing and promoting ostrich farming in the area. Due to excellent feed to weight gain ratio ostrich farming could be more economical than sheep farming.

Ostrich farming has the following benefits: excellent feed to weight ratio gains, high protein content meat with low fats, high value products made from ostrich feather and hide (skin) and the breeding proliferation of ostriches makes commercial ostrich farming worthy of investigation.

Besides the meat gain from the bird, A female ostrich can lay up to 60 eggs in a year weighing up to 1.4 kg per egg, which could significantly contribute to improving protein intake. This bird can withstand A wide range of environmental conditions and can prosper in climates between 30 and -30 °C, and can live up to 70 years of age.

Dr. Muqarrab has kindly showed his confidence in the abilities of Hashoo Foundation’s Expanded Dairy Development Project (EDDP). He is sure that our Dairy Model Farm serves the purpose of demonstration best than any other farm in the area. He believes the demonstration at the farm will generate interest amongst other organizations and motive community members to start thinking about introducing this commercially worthy farming to poor farmers in the other parts of Pakistan.

LATINA VOICES: SMART TALK INTERVIEW WITH CRISTAL MONTANEZ BAYLOR EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR HASHOO FOUNDATION

Latina Voices: Smart Talk show creator and Executive Producer Minerva Pérez, an award-winning Broadcast Journalist and Community Leader; Sofia Adrogué, a Rice University and Harvard Business School Alumna and a "Texas Super Lawyer"; and Patricia Gras, an Emmy-award winning Houston PBS Senior Host/Producer interviewed Cristal Montañéz Baylor, Hashoo Foundation USA Executive Director.

Cristal talks about the history of the Hashoo Foundation, the impact of the floods in Pakistan, Plan Bee Hashoo Foundation’s Women Empowerment through Honey Bee farming and the Credit and Enterprise Development program with the University of St. Thomas MicroCredit Program, Owl MicroFinance from Rice University and the Micro Finance Initiative from the University of Houston.

Latina Voices: Smart Talk is an innovative, English language, half-hour television and Internet-streamed talk show of mainstream topics with a Latina perspective. Like the Oprah Show, Latina Voices addresses politics; business; pop culture; health trends; entertainment; women's issues and other newsworthy and timely topics of value to professional Latinos and the mainstream audience.

THE UNIVERSITY OF ST. THOMAS SOCIAL ENTREPRENEURSHIP PROGRAM (SEP) HELD A BENEFIT CONCERT AT THE ARTERY HOUSTON TO RAISE FUNDS FOR THEIR PLAN BEE LOAN RECIPIENTS

A Night at The Artery

The University of St. Thomas Social Entrepreneurship Program (SEP) held a benefit concert at The Artery Houston to raise funds for their Plan Bee loan recipients suffering from the recent flood catastrophe in Pakistan. The event was quite magical, as it gave the audience excellent entertainment all the while raising awareness about the partnership between Hashoo Foundation and UST Social Entrepreneurship Program. Four musicians/bands of superb talent and skill generously gave their time to support the cause: Ms. Patti Gras, Mr. Jose ‘Jay’ Antonio Simon, The Beans, and Third Ear Caravan.

    

Ms. Cristal Montanez Baylor, Director of the Hashoo Foundation, gave an informative presentation about the Plan Bee initiative during intermission. Hiba Haroon, SEP student board member and event coordinator, was in awe of the success of the event and the enthusiasm expressed to her about the Plan Bee project by many audience members.

The UST Social Entrepreneurship Program sincerely thanks Mr. Mark Larsen, owner of The Artery, and his team for their generosity and support of the event. The students of the program are even more motivated to continue raising awareness about the Pakistani honey producers and their dedication to become strong, sustainable, entrepreneurs.

By Hiba Haroon, Pakistan Project University of St. Thomas Social Entrepreneurship Program (SEP)