It’s not everyday that one can purchase a piglet or ox calf from a Catholic school gym.

More than 20 countries—from Peru to Kenya to India—were represented Nov. 8-9 at St. Dominic School, Garden City, during the annual "Explore the Village" craft and baked goods sale.

There they could also purchase a piglet, ox calf, 100 "cacco seed," or even education and training— all for needy people across the globe. For example, a $3 donation went toward the purchase of one piglet for a family in Uganda. Two dollars purchased a text book for a student in Haiti, or provided 73 servings of "busoma" to a family in Burundi.

On several tables in the school’s gym were hand-made jewelry, carvings, baskets, dolls, nativity scenes, and toys, as well as baked goods donated from local residents.

The sale—all proceeds of which went to charity—was sponsored by St. Dominic Parish, the Religious Formation Office, and the Diocese of Dodge City.

"We regard this as an adult religious formation event," said Mike Dorsey, diocesan ecumenical/interfaith officer.

Locally, sales benefited the Emmaus House, Catholic Social Services, the Family Crisis Center, the youth group mission trip to the Rosebud Indian Reservation in South Dakota, and Habitat for Humanity. Internationally, sales aided a variety of charities, including organizations in Burundi, Latin America, Africa, India, Belize, and others.

The craft items were offered for sale through "Ten Thousand Villages," a non-profit organization with stores nation-wide. The organization provides income to Third World people by placing their crafts for sale in their stores, helping provide an income that pays for food, education, health care or housing.