By Robert Vesleño The gifts of hens and roosters from World Vision’s Gift Catalogue hatch benefits for needy families years later. For Armando and Placeda Mesias, who live in the Philippines, the chickens are a blessing. “I am happy because there will be food for our consumption, like the eggs and the chickens,” said Placeda, a mother of six. Three of her children were malnourished and underweight, so World Vision gave her 20 chickens in November 2006. The family has been able to use the poultry as an extra source of food to help get the children back up to a healthy weight. Families who receive poultry agree to give back an equal amount of chickens to World Vision within a year. These chickens are then given to other needy families in the community. Nelsa Cayapas and her family received five roosters and 10 hens in 2007. Nelsa’s son, Leopoldo Jr., was malnourished and underweight but within a few months of receiving the flock, he’d gained 22 pounds. Nelsa is now able to prepare eggs for breakfast or cook a chicken for dinner. But the brood of birds bring more than just food to the Cayapas family. They are able to sell some of the chickens and eggs to neighbours and use the money to buy items like rice, milk, sugar, and school supplies. World Vision staff showed Nelsa and her family how to raise the chickens, prepare their feed, use lights to keep them warm and healthy, and provide medicines and vitamins. Leopoldo Jr. also does his part to care for the chickens. “I help feed the chickens with dried coconut and regular feed,” he said. He does this every morning and after school. At the end of the day, he rounds up the chickens and puts them back in their coop. He also helps his father prepare the chickens for sale by plucking their feathers and going to neighbours to sell them. Despite the early morning wake up calls from the crowing roosters, Nelsa is thankful that Canadians started the chain of events that is changing the lives of her family members. “Thank you because it’s a big help, especially in the needs of my children, their schooling and their health,” she says. Click here to go to the World Vision Gift Catalogue. |
