Food and Self-Reliance for AIDS Orphans

We're counting our blessings this holiday season at the American Foundation for Children with AIDS.  It's been a great year and we have some incredible projects lined up for 2017.  All of them with the intention of helping HIV+ children and their caregivers break the cycle of poverty!

In an orphanage called Family Harvest Village located in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe, AFCA has sponsored the building of a chicken coop which houses approximately 1000 laying hens.  These hens produce eggs, which are a source of protein for the children who live in the orphanage, as well as for all the staff who work there.  Without the eggs, the protein the children need to grow up healthfully would be missing, as meat and other sources of protein are quite expensive in a country wracked by drought and hunger. With that in mind, a few trays of eggs are donated each week to other local orphanages who do not have chickens of their own.  The children there get the chance to eat something delicious, which is also nutritious – and all of it coming out of one coop!

The majority of the eggs produced are sold throughout the city of Bulawayo – to restaurants, schools, and hospitals.  The eggs are amazing!  Dark yellow yolks and large, they are a preferred egg by everyone and even though it is a difficult time in the country, folks are willing to pay top price for them.  The money earned from these sales is divided in two – half goes to the orphanage for other needs, such as diapers, medicine, school fees, and food.  The other half is saved so that a second coop can be set up.  It is so exciting to see how a dream becomes reality.  And that reality becomes hope for many people. 

Thank you for supporting our work!  As you make your end of the year giving decisions, please keep us in mind so we can continue helping children in 2017 and beyond.  We wish you the best year ever, full of every blessing and happiness imaginable, knowing you are a hope-giver.   If you'd like to learn even more about what we do or how you can meet some of the children you have helped, please contact Tanya Weaver at tweaver@AFCAids.org.