Our Pig Farming Program aims to increase families’ overall income and ensure that they can sustainably support their children’s education and well-being. We hope the families can earn a profit of CNY 5,000 to 8,000 [USD 700 to 1,120] per year from the pig business.
One of our beneficiaries is Jiniu Buxi (53), a single mother of four and a grandmother of two. While she already has two working children, her two youngest sons are still in school. Even at 53, her responsibilities as a mother never halted. Years ago, her husband left their home, and until today, neither she nor her sons have ever heard of his whereabouts. Because of this, Jiniu had shouldered all the financial and household responsibilities.
Her main source of income is farming. She had acquired rights to a plot of land near her residence where she grew corn and potatoes. Before our Pig Farming program, she had been growing some chickens on her own to add to their income. When her second-oldest son started working in the city, he was of great help by sending money home.
During our visit to Jiniu’s home, we were guided by her community’s leader. We made our way along a quiet mountain path until we reached her home—a modest brick home nestled in a remote curve of the village road. When we arrived, she was holding her grandson while scattering feed for her chickens. Spotting us, she greeted us warmly and invited us to sit in her living room.
Due to the language barrier, communication was facilitated through the village leader, who kindly translated for us. When we brought up the pig project, tears welled up in Jiniu’s eyes. She wiped them away and thanked us sincerely. “The pigs brought real help to my struggling family”, she says. Originally, she had only one pig and was planning to sell it for cash. But after receiving two piglets and feed from the program, she could keep the original pig for sale and continue raising the two new ones—one to be sold later, the other kept for food during the New Year.
She shared that before the training session, she raised pigs using traditional practices. Because of this, one of them died, which disheartened her. After attending the training we provided, she learned crucial techniques that she did not know were necessary before. She kept the pen clean, balanced the feed, and maintained proper feeding schedules. Following these new methods, the piglets have grown from 22 jin to 40 jin in a short time.
She proudly shared with us her plans: First, she will continue raising the pigs. Secondly, she will sell them once mature. Thirdly, she will use that money to buy some more, and the process will repeat. With the new ways of raising pigs that we taught her, she feels more confident about this as a steady income stream.
“I will raise these pigs well. Selling one will help cover my grandchildren’s needs. I may not be able to work outside, but this is something I can do on my own to help my family.”
As we said our goodbyes, she said one more thing we often hear but never get tired of from our beneficiaries: “Kasasa.”
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