ChildFund advises gifting chickens to Third World families this Christmas

The Daniel family stands outside their chicken coup in Makueni County, Kenya. The family's income and nutrition has improved since receiving chickens from ChildFund NZ. Photo/Supplied

ChildFund New Zealand CEO Paul Brown is urging Northlanders to think chicken, not for Christmas dinner but to help Third World families in need.

"We are so grateful to the generous people of Northland who have given 162 chickens to families in Kenya, Zambia and Timor Leste through ChildFund's Gifts that Grow over the last four years," he said. "But with so many more families who could benefit, ChildFund is putting chickens at the top of our Christmas wish list this year."

For $28, a pair of chickens from ChildFund's Gifts that Grow catalogue would provide a family with much-needed food and nutrition through eggs and meat, and an ongoing source of income as their flocks grew.

"Giving chickens is like giving these families a never-ending meal ticket and a small business," Mr Brown said.

The organisation hoped to double the 446 chickens that were gifted for Christmas day. They, and other gifts, can be purchased at www.childfund.org.nz, or by calling 0800 223-111.

"We were able to give more than 800 chickens to those in need in Kenya and Zambia in 2015, so we know what can be achieved with the support of people from around New Zealand," he added.

"We also know chickens are an incredibly worthwhile gift — every chicken, with a life span of seven to 10 years and the ability to lay around 1000 eggs in that time, can be life-changing for those living in poverty in the developing world."

The Daniel family in Kenya was one recent success story. A year after receiving three chickens via ChildFund New Zealand, and with the help of animal husbandry training that accompanied the gift, the family now had a flock of 22 birds.

"The family have effectively been given the gift of self-sustainability and a brighter future. They no longer need to worry where their next meal is coming from, and can sell eggs or a chicken if extra money is needed for expenses like school fees," Mr Brown said.

"When you hear stories like this, you can't help but feel excited and proud of what Kiwis are enabling through their Gifts that Grow purchases. Chickens really do give you those Christmas 'warm fuzzies'."

Over the past decade New Zealanders had given 55,000 Gifts that Grow, including chickens, goats, bikes and books. Since 2013 Northlanders had given 440 gifts, with chickens proving a popular choice at around 11 per cent of purchases.

ChildFund New Zealand's commitment to gift-givers was that the items they chose would help children, families and communities grow in health, education and independence.

The gifts on offer were focused on building sustainable futures and are what communities themselves had identified as needing most.

Purchasers received a gift card explaining the gift and how it would benefit the recipient, and a gift of their own in the form of a tax credit.