Trustlines Development Network
Chicken and Egg Project
The IEF partners with Trustlines Development Network, Inc., who manage and promote hands-on development projects by offering the resources and education to alleviate poverty.
In 2017, the IEF became a sponsor of the Chicken and Egg Project. Since then, the partnership has supported around 250 families in some of the most rural communities in Uganda, by providing them with the skills and resources to take care of their own chickens.
Through the Chicken and Egg Project, each child is given a hen, a rooster, starter feed, training and technical support. A local contact works with children to develop the skills necessary to care for hens and later manage a small business.
The project provides families with a sustainable source of protein and the opportunity to expand their efforts. A single hen provides over 150–200 eggs or chicks per year, and the eggs and poultry can also be sold to earn extra income.
To date, the project has had an unparalleled impact on the lives of children and families involved. A great example of this is 11-year-old Vincent, who received his first hen and rooster in 2020. Since then, he was made enough money through the sale of eggs and chickens to pay for private school education for himself and his younger brother. Vincent, with the support of his mother, has grown his flock from 2 to 120, and recently purchased 420 chicks which he will rear and sell to pay for his first term of school fees.
NEW BARN CONSTRUCTED TO SUPPORT PROJECT GROWTH
Despite this success, the programme had faced challenges in sourcing point-of-lay hens in the regions the project operates, limiting both its sustainability and growth. To overcome this obstacle, the IEF committed funds to support the construction of a dedicated layer rearing barn in Bukuya, Uganda in 2023, which is now in operation and managed by the local farmer who also provides the training to the children.
IEF Trustee, Steve Manton, visited the barn in August 2023 as part of a pre-organised trip to the charity's Africa based partners. The next programme will take place in late 2023, with the barn playing a key role in increasing reach to additional children and strengthening local rural egg and poultry farming prospects.
