AN EGG CALLED HOPE

Women are at the heart of the LMLG’s current project. In rural communities, where their status is still undermined, women are helping to improve the socio-economic well-being of the family.

In collaboration with a partner orgainisation in Masaya (ADIC*), we are supporting an initiative which involves women in rearing poultry on their small farms. The women receive ten Rhode Island chickens and a cockerel and over a 6 month period, the project works with them to construct hen houses, grow organic feed on the farm as well as providing guidance on vaccination, disease prevention and cross breeding to improve productivity.

Rearing chickens is not high-tech but to women in poor communities it can create real opportunities, enabling them to contribute to the family income and send their children to school.

As well as gaining knowledge and skills which give women the opportunity to live more independent lives, the project provides an important means of building their self esteem in an environment where discrimination against women still persists.

The LMLG is raising funds for 30 Masayan women to participate in the project. Ł100 will buy 10 chickens, a cockerel and a course of vaccinations. Once the process begins to yield an income, a percentage is contributed to a revolving fund which allows the scheme to be extended to other women.

This project is part of a bigger programme that is being managed by the Association for Community Integration and Development. ADIC is a local organisation that helps subsistence farmers in rural Masaya to improve productivity. It promotes organic farming practices, offering support and training in crop diversification, soil conservation and organic fertilisers and pesticides to reduce dependency on expensive chemicals. Using a holistic approach, ADIC has developed a range of integrated projects to help small-scale producers build their capacity and skills to improve their living conditions.

The LMLG has been collaborating with ADIC since 2001

For further information and updates on this and other projects click on LINKS

Background - How the project started