The Challenge

Proyecto Kallila, or Project Chicken in English, was hatched just this year in order to address two main issues that exist in many rural villages across the world: access to high quality protein, and access to a source of work that can provide cash income.

Modeled on the work of Heifer International, this project seeks to combat these problems by establishing sustainable chicken production operations that serve as a source of both protein (eggs and meat) and income (sale of birds) for rural Nicaraguans. Recipients of the project agree to pass on the gift in the form of giving two chickens per clutch for a total of six chickens to other families in the village, who will subsequently pass on the gift to three additional families. In addition, we support the villagers’ effort by delivering veterinary and agricultural knowledge of chicken care, as well as providing vaccinations and dewormer for one year to promote animal health.

Protein is, of course, very important because without protein, the human body cannot grow or function properly. Protein is especially important in young growing children. In fact, protein deficiencies occurring during the first 4 years of life cause inadequacies in cerebral and physical development, which can never be regained. According to the World Health Organization, children aged 1 to 4 require 1.2 grams of protein per kilogram per day, which translates to approximately 15 grams of protein for a 25-30 lb child. A medium egg contains about 5 grams of protein of extremely high biological value, meaning that this protein is a “good” building block for the body because it is rich in sulpher-containing amino-acids. These amino-acids are essential for normal growth, and tend to be deficient in many other food items in the humid tropics where meat protein is limited. In addition, eggs also contain large amounts of iron, minerals, B vitamins, Vitamin A, and choline, all of which are important for normal body and brain development. Our goal is that every child between the ages of one and four, as well as every pregnant and lactating woman should eat at least one egg/day.

Access to cash flow is difficult for people living in remote villages such as Bilwaskarma, located in Northeastern Nicaragua. Without local industries or jobs, it is almost impossible for a family to raise themselves above the poverty level. Local jobs such as harvesting food or wood tend to be paid through a bartering system: a day’s work in the fields might be paid with a cut of meat from a slaughtered pig. While this system can fill many immediate needs, cash is still necessary for a family to pay for items or resources such as health care, farming products, and school books to name a few. Furthermore, having adequate finances allows farmers to buy tools which can help them produce more food than just for their immediate needs, and excess harvest can be sold for cash.

The Solution

Helping people help themselves is the way to provide long-term benefits, rather than just short term gain. As the old saying goes, it is better to teach a man to fish than to give him a fish.

Chicken farming is a great way for families to both supply their immediate protein requirements in the form of both eggs and meat, and for them to have access to a better cash flow. Chickens reproduce rapidly, are very efficient at converting a small amount of food into a larger amount of energy in the form of eggs, and require very little investment in order to get an operation in place. In addition, while a larger animal such as a cow represents a significant investment, which is not lightly slaughtered for food or money, an individual bird can easily be used for food or cash flow.

Current Efforts

Proyecto Kallila was set into motion in January 2007 in conjunction with the biannual trip by Partners in Health to provide medical aid to the villagers of Bilwaskarma. The project was modeled off of that of Heifer International; the initial recipient of the project must pass on the gift in the form of passing on 2 chickens per clutch for a total of 6 chickens to other families in the village, who will subsequently pass on the gift to 3 additional families. Initial efforts have involved establishing a reliable local contact, giving lectures about chicken care, setting up a model chicken flock including chicken house, and promising to provide vaccines and de-wormers for the duration of one year, after which local farmers will be expected to sell chickens as necessary to provide for their medical needs. Ongoing efforts will hopefully include additional veterinary guidance to improve flock viability and production levels, ongoing education, and the addition of a large number of chickens as starting stock to help speed up the positive effects of the project.

The project is currently being led by Garth Cummings, a senior at the University of Vermont who will be starting veterinary school in 2007, and by Dr. Hanna Ekstrom, a Cornell Graduate with 14 years of experience practicing medicine. Mr. Cummings and Dr. Ekstrom view Bilwaskarma as an initial effort, which they are hoping to spread to other villages locally, and then more globally. As a grass-roots organization with literally no overhead costs, every penny you donate will go towards improving the economic situation of people in need.

Please support Partners in Health with this important nutritional project. Though Proyecto Kalila is being started in one tiny village, it’s impact has the potential of being much more global, as the principles apply to any rural impoverished community worldwide.

Please send your tax exempt donation to:
Partners in Health c/o Steve Johnson
959 Kennebec Road
Hampden, ME 04444