By Alex Sanderson | Assistant to Patricia Parker MBE
Chickens in Darfur, where the elderly are desperately in need
In 2014 we launched our appeal for chickens for grandparents. Kids for Kids was created to help children, but no child can survive without a loving family. In Darfur it is essential to have an extended family because of the huge difficulties of surviving in an area where there is no infrastructure. Without roads where the only transport is a donkey, without water within reach so that a whole day may be spent in collecting 2 jerry cans, and where markets can take days to reach. No one can survive unless the family unit is large enough.
Last year we determined to help the elderly. How could we leave grandparents to starve? Many are incapable of caring for animals or tilling their fields. How could we help in a way that was suitable and possible in Darfur? Chickens are easy to look after and do not need a lot of water, so we decided to test this idea. Our pilot project was for just 70 families in 3 villages. We provided chickens bought locally so they were tough enough to survive the overwhelming heat and sandy poor conditions, resisting advice to buy little chicks from Khartoum. The journey from Khartoum is hundreds of miles. (Lorries do arrive in El Fasher with loads of chicks but two thirds do not survive the journey, so we were determined not to provide chickens in this way.)
The success of our chickens pilot project has meant that this year laying chickens and a rooster are one of our main activities alongside our goat loans for children and farm tools for their parents. The wonderful smiles of the old people we know who now have chickens scratching away outside their door is unforgettable.
Can you help us to help more families please?
$21 / £14 provides 3 laying hens and a rooster for a grandparent
$62 / £38 provides a little goat for milk to sustain the children and grandchildren
$372 / £228 provides 6 goats for a family
$600 / £370 funds a Paravet - there is no other animal care
$42 / £25 provides training for children to help look after the animals
Thank you for your support.
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