Gifts that Grow: Baby Chickens
1/09/2008
Chamil Malishka is 7 years old, and thanks to a gift from a Kiwi in last year’s Gifts that Grow catalogue his family is finally breaking free of poverty.
Things became desperate for this Sri Lankan family when Chamil’s dad had to stop work because of a disability. Chamil’s mother got work as a labourer in a quarry, but can’t earn enough to support the family.
Through ChildFund and ‘Gifts that Grow’, the family received a brood of chickens. Raising poultry was a job Chamil’s dad had enough movement and energy to do.
When the chickens were around 6 months old, they started laying eggs. This gave the family diet a huge nutritional boost because they suffered badly before. Just as important, there are plenty of eggs left over for selling in the market.
Already the family is making nearly $20 extra every month – enough to help make sure Chamil has the chance to go to school, with a better future ‘layed’ out in front of him!
Give a family in need 25 baby chickens for $46.
