There are lots of dreamers in refugee camps – people who have big plans for their future. And in Bidi Bidi Refugee Settlement, some of these dreamers have one particular goal in mind – raising chickens.
Suzan, one of ARC’s volunteers in Bidi Bidi, has been working with a group of women and men in the camp who want to create a chicken cooperative. “I want chickens because they will help me in some good ways,” explained Simon, the leader of the group. “I can sell eggs. I can eat the meat. I can sell the chickens.”
Simon and his group have a lot of confidence in their vision. But, they also had one big problem – they didn’t have any chickens to kick start their dream. On Day 79, Suzan and the team set out to get them what they need.
The team found some chicken feed in the closest nearby town and bussed it back to Bidi Bidi. They went house to house looking for chickens that people might sell. And when they returned, they found a surprise – the group was ready. They built a brand-new chicken coop.
We handed over 20 pounds of feed and nine chickens – enough to get them started. And, because these are local chickens – who eat grass and scavenge more readily – they won’t require as much feed in the future.
“I feel good,” said Suzan. “I feel good because I see they are really ready for this, and that they are able to empower themselves. They have challenges. But with this, I know they can go farther.”
