The Poultry Project

The Poultry Project supports families affected by HIV/AIDS in Uganda by helping them move toward self-reliance as poultry farmers. Families receive chickens, training, poultry vaccines, a bicycle, and ongoing support. The chickens are raised as free-range layers (a hen can lay up to 200 eggs per year) and the eggs are eaten and sold. The bicycle is used for transportation and as another means of income (bikes double as taxis in Uganda). Some families use egg and chicken sales to acquire goats and cows; others expand their poultry holdings. Participants keep 100% of the profits from their poultry enterprises. The Poultry Project works with The AIDS Support Organization (TASO) Mbale branch to provide support and training to participants. Many of the children benefiting from The Poultry Project have lost one or both of their parents to AIDS-related illnesses. According to the UN, 1 million AIDS orphans live in Uganda.