Studies show that consumption of animal protein helps combat stunting in young children. This has been the case in countries such as Peru and Indonesia. We are now working towards providing sustainable sources of animal protein to families of children enrolled in our Mingo Meals Nutrition Program. In mountainous areas, egg-laying chickens are a good source of sustainable protein.
On November 29, 2024, NVC received the gift of Rhode Island Red chicks from the personal stock of Debdeb Medez Deimos. This variety is said to be the choice breed for small flock owners. Rhode Island Reds have been known to lay 300 eggs per year. Debdeb donated these chicks so that NVC could distribute them to families living in an upland barangay of Cadiz, Negros Occidental.
In early December, we began delivering the chicks to families on our list. Even as the emergency relief for the December 9 Mt. Kanlaon eruption was in full swing, we made sure to keep up with our chick delivery schedule. Over the course of several days, the team delivered a total of 440 chicks to 44 families. We also supplied them with equipment such as waterers and feeders. On some days, the weather did not cooperate, but the team did not give up
A little over a month after the chicks were delivered to families in upland Cadiz, NVC’s Agriculturalist Vhon Vhon went to check on their progress. During his recent visit to the mountains, he took note of how much the chicks had grown from December (middle photo) to January (photo on the right). Soon, these chicks will be old enough to start laying eggs. The families will have a regular source of animal protein to feed their growing kids. On top of that, if there are too many eggs for the family to consume, they can sell the rest to earn extra income.
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