Miza Wele has been a widow for about 8 years. She is a star student in GTLI training, proud that she and all 8 of her children now use their pit latrine. Miza is eager to earn money for food. Her eyes are too tired for beading but they light up when she talks about raising chickens. She will sell eggs, her children will eat eggs, and when times get really tough, they will also eat the chickens!
The Hamar do not traditionally raise chickens, however when GTLI tested several income generating activities in 2010, chicken farming “made the grade.” Interest was strong, hardy chicken breeds survived in the arid environment, and families expressed interest in eating eggs which would provide a needed source of protein.
So GTLI began a chicken farming program.To enroll in the program, a head of household must demonstrate that the entire family is regularly using its pit latrine (rather than practicing open defecation), and must attend GTLI's Functional Adult Literacy school where he or she will learn Amharic (the Ethiopian national language) along with basic business skills that will enable him to successfully run a small business. The head of household will then receive intensive training in chicken farming as well as coop building materials.
Excitement about chicken farming is high and today “entrepreneurs” in several Hamar communities are on their way to becoming sustainable chicken farmers.
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Global Team for Local Initiatives is a U.S. based 501©(3) organization.
Our funding partners include USAID, Rotary and generous private donors.
PO Box 11277, Bainbridge Island, WA 98110 (206) 601-1776 info@gtli.us.
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