FUNDACION EN VIA

One hundred and six women chose chicken farms and forty eight women chose vegetable gardens. The materials for the chicken farms consisted of 10 chickens, one 40kg  package of feed, and feeder and drinker arrangements. The women who chose to have vegetable gardens had the option to elect between two different resource packets depending on their irrigation systems. Both resource packets consisted of 13 seed species, 1 Kilogram of nitrogenase for composting, 8 packets of manure and various irrigation supports depending on their needs. Many of our participants reported that they felt their involvement with Growing Strong significantly contributed to reduced anxieties related to food insecurity during the height of the pandemic.

One year after the launch of Growing Strong we recognized the great success of the project so we decided to convert the project into one of  En Vía’s regular programs. In addition to addressing immediate food insecurity our new and expanded program provides our entrepreneurs with the opportunity to turn their chicken farm and vegetable garden projects into additional streams of income.  Participants of staying strong received 50 chickens and more in depth courses pertaining to everything from proper chicken care, to how and where to sell their eggs at. Twenty four women are currently involved in Growing Strong; eight women have vegetable gardens, and eighteen have chicken farms. We are thankful for the consistent progress Growing Strong is making and are excited to open up the program to more women in the future.