COVID-19 shut down our micronutrient project in Honduras because we could not get the product into Honduras. In 2021, we started a new nutrition project to battle malnutrition in children under age 5. Hens Hatching Hope has two goals: support 25 women run micro-businesses within the beneficiary communities and provide an egg per day for 300 at-risk children. In 2022, we increased the number of at-risk children to 500, with eggs being provided by 27 women-run chicken coops.
The children of Southern Intibuca, a place of unforgiving poverty and scarce opportunity, are literally wasting away. Shoulder to Shoulder's data reveal that almost 40% of children less than 5 years of age are stunted (this is a higher rate than Haiti). About half are anemic, 13% are underweight, and 3% are wasting. But the vacant, ghostlike expressions of desperate children tell the story better than statistics. These children need nutrients in order live a good life.
Eggs have been shown to be a cost-effective solution to fighting malnutrition in developing countries. But, the delivery of eggs is a challenge. Therefore, our project will find, and support, one woman in each community who has the desire to raise chickens and eggs. In Honduras, children 2 years of age and below are supposed to be brought to their local Health Center for a monthly weight/height check up. Mothers who come to these appointments will be given a ticket, to receive 30 free eggs.
This project is a WIN-WIN-WIN: ** The children receive needed nutrients through the daily eating of eggs. ** The women who raise the hens and eggs receive revenue from both Shoulder to Shoulder and local customers. ** The communities win because eggs are purchased locally, thus keeping money in southern Intibuca, where it is desperately needed.
Support this important cause by creating a personalized fundraising page.
Start a Fundraiser
