Heifer International – South Africa has used the first instalment of their Make Christmas Matter funding, R24 218.00, to boost the food security of 20 households in the impoverished communities around Bulwer, in southern Kwa-Zulu Natal.  The project, known as Kevelar Denary is made up of a number of Roman Catholic missions, and the beneficiaries of the Make Christmas Matter campaign are members of the St Paul’s and St Catherine’s missions. 

Unemployment is rife in the area and there is a great need for agricultural know-how and management to help people to not only increase their household food, but also generate much-needed income from food production.  Heifer assisted two groups of 10 members each to organise themselves and to plan egg-laying projects that will improve food security and generate income for their households.

It all started with training the 20 members in poultry management and cage construction.  Each member then built their own cages, situated at their houses, and they then each received 12 laying hens and two bags of feed.  The poultry management training covered all aspects of keeping the hens healthy and productive and also included economics of egg production, ensuring that they are not depend on Heifer.  Members are managing their hens well, and egg production is increasing as birds adapt and settle into their laying cycle.

Although it is still very early in the project, sustainability has been raised for discussion with the project members. Every member that has received training and the gift of laying hens is required to train another family and purchase laying hens for the new family. This “passing on the gift” helps build accountability between members and impacts the sustainability of the project. The members would like to keep dairy goats in future in order to further boost their household food security and income generation potential.

 

Project Financial Report

Laying hens R38 each x 12=R456 x 20 families     9 120
page materials- 20 cages @ R160                            3 200
Feed for hens 40 bags @ R90/bag                            3 600
Training cost                                                                   4 138
Travel for training, chicken delivery

520 km x R2/km x 4                                                        4 160
Total                                                                            R 24 218