Online Reporter
Milton Mashasha in Matabeleland South
THERE was jubilation in Ward 17 at Number 8, Manama, after villagers received egg-laying chickens from Daniel Hatcher Company on Wednesday at Manama Business Centre.
Daniel Hatcher, based in Gwanda and Bulawayo, supplied the chickens together with free stock feed and medication for the first month.
Speaking to B-Metro, Siphathekile Moyo from Gohole Number 9, a beneficiary, said the programme was a lifeline for villagers.
“This chicken project is brilliant because it helps villagers to be self-reliant and make their own money.
“When you join, you get free feed and medication for a month. The price of chickens is also very low, depending on whether you buy five, ten or more,” said Mrs Moyo.
Sihle Maphosa from Mabandu, who is also part of the project, said it was empowering families.
“As women and men, this is developing us and our ward. Women no longer have to beg husbands for money to buy basic needs like salt, sugar etc. Forward with development, each person with their own chickens, forward with chickens!
“I love this programme. It’s helping us to rise as a ward,” she said.
Gift Maphosa of Gohole Number 10 said the project was helping residents earn a living.
“This programme helps us get money, fend for ourselves and employ ourselves. We are not waiting to be hired. We survive through this.
“I encourage more residents to join so we can rear more layers and develop our ward and families,” said Maphosa.
Another farmer, Thokozile Silinde Mpofu, said the support made a difference.
“As poultry farmers, this helps us a lot because we get medication and feed for one month without paying. This pushes us forward and keeps the chicken project going,” said Mrs Mpofu.
Sithokozile Mlilo said they wanted to sell eggs and grow the project.
“This programme must succeed so we can sell eggs. The chickens must not die, they must grow,” said Mlilo.
Teenager Kearabile Ndlovu said the project was good for youths.
“As a girl child, I am very happy to be a layer farmer. I urge my peers to come in numbers and work with their hands instead of just sitting and asking parents for money.
“This helps us youths to develop. You don’t need a lot of money to start this project,” said Kearabile.
derick.khumalo