Hen Project Supports Needs of Children and Families in Thailand

To improve health and nutrition and generate sustainable income for children and families living in Ban Gud Ra-ngum village and the surrounding community in Ubon Ratchathani Province, Pearl S. Buck Foundation Thailand started a project teaching families how to raise egg-laying hens. By promoting sustainable methods of raising these hens, the initiative supports children’s growth, helps reduce food costs, and provides a reliable source of income for families. It also equips students, families, and community members with valuable skills for future occupations.

Teachers, community leaders, and health volunteers observed that many children were underweight due to poor nutrition. In many cases, children were only eating snacks or water for breakfast. It was clear that if the children were to remain healthy and continue in school, they needed an additional source of nutrition, and their families needed an additional source of income. The project, which consisted of 16 families and one school, provided not just 300 hens but training on how to raise them and necessary equipment such as food, vaccines, and materials for building hen coops.

The 2024 goals for the initiative were met, and the families involved were delighted with the project, as it provides a consistent source of nutritious eggs for their children and generates additional income through egg sales. Students, parents, and caregivers have learned valuable skills through raising these hens, which they can apply to daily life and share with the community. The project has also taught the children responsibility and offered a productive alternative to negative influences such as drugs and excessive screen time.

Each family has developed its own approach to hen raising, including supplementing their diets with local vegetables and fruits. They ensure the hens are kept in well-ventilated, clean coops and even play music to maintain a healthy environment for them. The project has seen daily egg production of 40-50 eggs, which are used in the school lunch program and sold to the local community. The project’s teachers manage the generated income, covering the cost of feed and ensuring the initiative’s sustainability.

The project has helped foster stronger family bonds, reduced food costs, and provided children with life skills and valuable experiences. The initiative has helped children stay engaged in productive activities and taught them the importance of teamwork and responsibility. The lessons learned from this project will guide future expansions to other schools and villages.

Thank you to everyone who supported this project and others like it. You truly make a difference in the life of families in need! Find projects like this at: https://pearlsbuck.org/help-children-in-need/fund-a-project/