Together with Heifer International, Veterinarians without Borders (VSF) introduced chickens to improve the food security of Maasai households in Longido and Simanjiro district in Tanzania. Chickens play a crucial role in protecting children from hunger and malnutrition, especially during the dry season. For Maasai families, chickens are more than just a source of protein. Through the sales of eggs they also provide income.

VSF and Heifer International trained the women to build a chicken shed, to take care of the chickens, and to recognize and treat pests and diseases. Each Maasai village received the materials to build a chicken shed, 5 vaccinated cocks and 30 vaccinated pullets. Once they produce offspring, the women share the chicks among each other. In doing so, each woman will eventually have her own chickens to help getting nutritious food and income for her family.

 Nedaudi Theresia is one of the women who received chickens through the Maisha Bora programme: “Thanks to the advice of VSF we are now selling a lot of eggs and chickens and we use this to pay school fees and medicines. We’re also using the eggs and the meat for food for our children.”

You can read the full article on the website of Veterinarians Without Borders:
Dutch: http://www.dierenartsenzondergrenzen.be/nl/nieuws/item/6039-kippen-helpen-de-masai-de-honger-overwinnen#
French: http://www.veterinairessansfrontieres.be/fr/actualite/item/6037-des-poules-pour-lutter-contre-la-faim-chez-les-masai