Public Issue

Raising Chickens, Self-Reliance and Nutrition in Kiribati

To improve nutrition on the atoll of North Tarawa, in the Republic of Kiribati, David and Jody Reese (humanitarian missionaries serving a full-time mission with The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints) presented an idea to a community leader that could improve the nutrition of local people, especially children.

                     

Funded by LDS Charities (the welfare arm of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints) the plan included providing 10 metres of chicken wire, one month's supply of food, 14 hens and 1 rooster for groups of people in a community who would work together to build and maintain the chicken coop.

The recipients also committed to give the first 15 chicks to another community group to start their own chicken project, thus sustaining the effort.

Partnering with the local Department of Agriculture, information was provided to the groups on how to raise chickens and how to make feed with local resources.

                                    

Since the locals do not normally cook with eggs, Elder and Sister Reese (as they are called as missionaries) provided cooking demonstrations and shared nutritional information.

Participants in the project have learned valuable skills in cooperation and decision making. They have also learned to create their own chicken feed and how to incorporate eggs into their daily food routines.

The success of the original project has served as an example to other residents who have caught the vision and then made their own coops and put local chickens in them.

Elder Reese says, "It is a huge bonus when others want to know how to get involved."

                     

Watch a video about LDS Charities food and nutrition projects around the world:

         

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