Partner: The National Evangelical Outreach (NEO) Kenya
A pig farm project in Kijabe Town, Kenya provides a sustainable source of income for families living in poverty and encourages community members to return to and invest in their hometown as a place of opportunity.
With a population of approximately 5,000 people, Kijabe Town is relatively small with few viable income opportunities and even fewer educational resources. This lack of opportunity leaves many families in a cycle of generational poverty and without hope of a more vibrant and sustainable future. These desperate circumstances have led some parents to send their children to school outside of the community where better educational resources and opportunities are available. Oftentimes, these children don’t return to Kijabe Town, but rather continue to pursue more sustainable lifestyles elsewhere. Those who don’t leave town are stuck in a familiar cycle of poverty, ultimately seeking to survive rather than live in the hope of a better future.
THE PROBLEM AND THE SOLUTION
We believe the youth is the key to unlocking a new future for Kijabe Town. For generations, positive resources and the hope for a better life have only been found outside of this community. The solution is to create opportunities for the community itself, allowing space for learned skills and talents to be used to transform it from the inside out.
We want to change the perception of Kijabe Town from a place with no economic opportunities to one where the community is able to take ownership of its own future. Creating a pig project in this community has provided hope for Kijabe Town and shows that it’s possible to rise out of poverty and live a sustainable life without leaving or depending on external help. Farming pigs is a great livelihood as well as a sustainable source of income. Their manure can be used to fertilize farms and gardens, while sows can be bred and piglets can be sold at the market.
OUR PLAN
The pig farm is already beginning to shift perceptions in the community. It currently employs three individuals and together they have begun problem solving and finding creative ways to make the pig farm profitable. They have even partnered with local restaurants to reduce the cost of pig feed.
Our partners have negotiated a contract with Farmer’s Choice, which is the largest pig meat supplier in Kenya. Currently, they have a contract in place to purchase a minimum of 25 pigs a month, at the cost of $160 per pig. Farmer’s Choice is also willing to buy more as the project expands. As the demand is there, the hope is that in a year, the project will be able to employ more people, supply a greater number of pigs, and eventually train some of the workers on how to start their own businesses.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the cost of pig feed has risen tremendously and has become more difficult to obtain. Our partners are currently working to maintain a smaller number of pigs while their resources are limited.
DESIRED IMPACT
The goal of the pig project is to show community members that they and their children are the town’s biggest asset and solution to their own challenges. Ultimately, the desired impact is to ignite hope so the community can see Kijabe Town flourish and in a new light. By creating more income opportunities, those who have left town for education will be incentivized to return to their community and contribute what they have learned as doctors, teachers, engineers, pastors, and business owners. The hope is for them to see more opportunities and potential in Kijabe Town as the pig project is creating a vision for what else can be accomplished in the future.
MEASURABLE GOALS
01.
The pig project will maintain a sustainable amount of pigs while the cost of feed remains high.
02.
In one year, employ more individuals to assist with the pig project.
03.
Renew hope in Kijabe Town as the community sees the potential of investing in itself as more vocational opportunities are available.
OUR IMPACT
- Three jobs have been created.
- Enough income has been produced to build a new pen.