TWCF has always had self-sustainably as a long-term goal. It has not, however, always been able to work toward this goal. The struggle, for TWCF, in Nigeria for survival is very real. By survival I mean, knowing where the next meal is coming from and if you have enough for everyone. Can we afford clean water today, enough water for washing and cooking, can we afford more nutritious food or must we stick with the same carb/starch diet for another few weeks without any veg or fruit? Can we pay everyone’s staff salary…who will have to sacrifice salary to ensure others who need it more are paid first…do we risk the drive to the hospital for urgent situations and what makes it more urgent then another? These are regular questions the staff at TWCF face on a daily weekly basis. When these decisions revolve around using money or resources for basic urgent needs, deciding when or how much to put into ‘sustainability’ projects are never on the table.
This has been the case for many years. In the last few years though, with a growing number of staff, who have proven faithful and loyal and become contributing members of their own free will to the livelihood and needs of the TWCF family, we have been ability to divert some finances, slowly but surely, into some sustainable options for the future. TWCF now proudly boasts a small poultry operation which holds at 300 birds on a regular basis. Half are layers and half are broilers, and while this provides a more nutritious diet and meal plan for the home now, it also provides TWCF with a small business and income to manage other needs in the home. Our poultry and egg sales have gathered a regular cliental basis, from the main junction grocery shop, the largest junction market as well as rotating village markets, to those that stop by the site as well as place all event/holiday orders (one customer order 40 broilers for an event).
TWCF ventured into small scale turkey and goat farming in the last year as well and has seen this ventures ability to grow businesswise, let alone that it provides our children with learning and skill opportunities! The staff at TWCF also started a small co-op among themselves, with portions of their own salary, and purchased various plots of land in several communities to begin farming. Not only has this again reduced food costs in the home, but is has create awareness and sales in the village markets by those who want to support the ‘orphans’ in their community. We are so excited for these opportunities and ideas, and for the ownership and accountability we see in the staff and community for the children in our care. We all must work together, share the burdens, so we can all move forward together.