By Austin Bowden-Kerby | Project Facilitator
On 17th June a group of eighteen arrived by covered carrier truck, for a week long training program at TLC- our Teitei Livelihoods Centre in Fiji's Singatoka Valley. Their journey from Wairuarua village, in the remote highlands of Naitasiri, included two hours down river by long-boat just to get to where the road begins, and then five hours journey by truck to the farm.
We had a wonderful bonding experience, with campfres and singing at night and with workshops sessions and hands-on activities during the day. In addition to Happy Chicken training, the participants learned principles of permaculture- composting, micro-terracing, intercropping, etc, as well as the making of products such as virgin coconut oil, and chocolate from cacao pods. Cacao was introduced by government to this community in the 1960s and it now grows profusely in the mountainous and forested area, but no one helped them market it nor ddid anyone show them how to use it. The participants left very excited and encouraged to work together to build a more resilient and prosperous community, using their newly discovered knowledge and skills.
In follow up, we have already head-started one hundred of our chicks to the eight-week stage, and the commuity has in turn built a chicken shed, and so they are ready to receive the chicks. Preparations are now being made to transport the chickens to the communities as soon as it can be arranged. A local NGO, formed in the aftermath of Cyclone Winston, facilitated the workshop and is conducting follow-up, which will help ensure success.
The plan made by the participants during the workshop was for the chickens to become a breeding flock, but as there is no electricity, they have been taught to hatch the eggs under broody hens. They also plan to situate one of our 40 Watt 90-egg incubators at the village located at the head of the road- which does have electricity, and to form a cooperative relationship by providng hatching eggs and sharing chicks between the two communities.
Thanks to our donors for enabling this transformative community development to happen. These humble, poor, receptive, and extremely appreciative people are (through you), being empowered to help themselves.
By Austin Bowden-Kerby | Director
By Austin Bowden-Kerby | Project facilitator
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