Stories: Children, Community, Future

Xuan lives in Ngan Son District, Bac Kan Province, with his wife and two children. Their youngest child is just 28 months old. Like many in their community, Xuan’s family is classified as a poor household. Their primary income comes from farming and working as hired labour, but the challenges they face are numerous.

Their home is 10 kilometres away from the nearest market, accessible only by a mountainous road. This makes it difficult to buy food for their daily meals, especially on rainy or windy days. Previously, Xuan’s family grew only a small amount of vegetables, and only during one season. Their flock of chickens were limited to just three or four, and they did not raise chickens for eggs, further contributing to their reliance on market purchases.

In late 2022, everything began to change for the better. The project “The first 1,000 days approach for a bright future” introduced a model encouraging households to raise chickens for eggs and grow nutritious vegetables. Xuan’s household was among the first to sign up. They received chicken breeds, vegetable seeds, and, importantly, training on the techniques needed to raise chickens and cultivate a thriving vegetable garden.

Under the project’s guidance, Xuan and his wife worked diligently, caring for their chickens and tending to their garden. Nearly a year later, the results have been transformative. Their chickens have not only provided a reliable source of eggs for their daily meals but also produced enough excess eggs to sell. This additional income has allowed them to buy other types of food, enhancing their family’s diet. The vegetable garden has also flourished, offering a steady supply of fresh, nutritious produce.

Moreover, the family actively participated in the project’s communication sessions and training on nutrition care and early childhood education. With a reliable source of safe, nutritious food and newfound knowledge about childcare, their two children are thriving both physically and mentally. The benefits extend beyond nutrition: by saving money on food and travel expenses, and spending less time traveling to the market, Xuan and his wife now have more time to care for their children.

“Having 5 to 7 egg-laying chickens and a nutritious vegetable garden ensures an available food source for pregnant women, children, and other family members,” Xuan shared. He committed to sharing his knowledge with others in the village and commune. “It’s easy to do and brings many benefits to the family,” he added.

Looking ahead, the project will continue to support the community by expanding communication efforts and creating opportunities for more households to adopt this life-changing model.