Chickens

Now some subjects don’t need text books and blackboards. They need hands on experience and the materials that go with the subject.

So as part of the national lower secondary school curriculum is to teach children about agriculture, and specifically how to look after animals, a very kind donor offered to make a specific donation so we could buy some chickens (and a rooster).

The children enjoy the chickens so much that they take them out of their coop on the roof of the school and let them roam the playground.

The plan is to use the eggs for the home science lessons with the children initially and then, when the current hens have had enough young, to send two to each of the children’s families so they can start their own breeding programme. This gives a small business opportunity to many adults who have no income while the children learn about all aspects of animal care and breeding.

The initial 20 hens and 1 cockerel were purchased using a £200 donation from Sheila and Alan Brighton. The materials for the huge hen house were also purchased within this donation. It’s amazing how far a little money will go in Kenya. Our fabulous school caretaker, Simon, built the coop.

You can see the absolute delight on the faces of the children. This has proved to be a very successful project that covers all aspects of the school curriculum and gives the children a chance to learn how to care for animals. It’s also brought a lot of joy to the kids.

Mr Alan (named after our donor) is our cockerel. He’s a bit feisty! But hopefully he will keep all his hens happy 😊.