Our Chicken Farming Program helps families increase their household income by CNY 3,000 to CNY 6,000 (USD 420 to 840) every year. This income enables them to spend more on their children’s education and overall well-being.
One of our beneficiaries is Shenzha Niuniu (32), and we visited her home to see how CF has helped her. As we pushed the door open, the smell of firewood hit our nostrils immediately. Inside, two metal cabinets and a bed with a tattered quilt were the only pieces of furniture. The walls were decorated with her children’s award certificates and medals from school. Just from this alone, you can tell what kind of family we are looking at: a warm, humble, and hardworking family that values their children’s education.
As if reading our mind, Shenzhen tells us, “This house was built with borrowed money—we still owe 80,000 yuan (USD 11,578) to our relatives.” Her family makes about CNY 8,000 (USD 1,158) annually. With this kind of debt, they have no idea how to make it work. As we talked, a barefoot boy ran, and she introduced him as her son before continuing.
“Last year we sold 500 jin of potatoes for 400 yuan. Two pigs brought in 7,000 yuan, but after deducting feed costs, we were left with just 3,000. The few eggs our hens lay—we save those for the sick child.”
What worries her most is not the rent, but her second son’s illness, which she did not disclose. “The doctor said surgery costs 50,000 yuan (USD 7236.) We’ve been saving for three years and have only managed 2,000 (USD 290.)”
When asked about her wish, Shenzha Niuniu replies, “I can’t read or write a single word, but I hope my children can all go to school—and that my youngest son grows up healthy.”
“By joining the chicken-raising program, I can raise 20 more chickens!” For the first time, her eyes light up as she counts on her fingers. “If we can sell the chickens, we’ll have enough to cover the kids’ tuition and part of the medical costs.” But her expression quickly clouds over, “What if the chickens get sick?”
When we told her that experts would be hired to provide training, hope sparkled in her eyes. She was thrilled, eager to join right away.
On the bumpy ride back through the mountain roads, the image of that barefoot boy lingered in our minds. While parents in the cities worry about academic competition, this mother in the mountains is still struggling for her children’s basic health and survival. Same nation, yet two vastly different worlds. It almost breaks our hearts.
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By supporting the Chicken Farming Program, you help provide essential training, resources, and a sustainable source of income for families in need.
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