$150 a Month for a Family of Four Was Not Enough

Magdalena lives with her husband and two children in a rural community in Mexico. Steady work is hard to find there. As a result, Magdalena has not been able to buy nutritious food to feed her family.

“In a really good month, my husband makes about $150 as a carpenter,” explained Magdalena. “That’s barely enough for our family of four. Most months he doesn’t earn that. Some days food is scarce or very poor quality."
     
Eight-year-old Yamileth said they sometimes go to bed hungry.

“My belly hurt,” said Yamileth. “We ate tortillas with mayonnaise and salt. Sometimes mom didn’t eat. I felt sad and went to my bed hungry.”

With a few dollars saved, Magdalena bought some chickens to raise and sell. But it was hard for her to keep things going.

“It was a failure,” explained Magdalena. “Although I put in a lot of effort into raising them, the hens got ill and some of them died. I tried this a few different times but always it failed.”

Things got so tight financially that Magdalena’s husband moved to another Mexican state to find work.

“It was hard for all of when he was away,” said Magdalena. “Then he got sick and had to come home. I didn't know how we would find money to pay for food and other expenses.”

Operation Blessing invited Magdalena to take part in a chicken Project. First, training was provided on how to raise and sell the chickens and eggs. Then, she was given everything, including 65 hens, to start the business.

“I carefully followed what I learned and my hens are healthy and productive,” shared Magdalena. “Even my neighbors could see that my chickens are doing great.”

Everyday, Magdalena and her children collect lots of eggs. Her Family eats some and sell the extras to neighbors or at a nearby market.

“Every time, I am more surprised because we collect more eggs, and it brings me a lot of joy,” explained Yamileth.

“I used to wake up stressed, trying to figure out what we would eat that day, or how to make ends meet,” said Magdalena. “Now I get up happy, I make breakfast for my children, and I feed the hens. Thank you, Operation Blessing.”