Jesuit Mission Australia is offering an alternative Christmas gift idea: a chicken farm to help a Cambodian family have access to sustainable food and income.

A gift of $70 can provide a family with everything they need to start a chicken farm and live a sustainable lifestyle.

“The chicken farm is a gift for tomorrow. Your support can empower women, men, and children to live sustainably and ensure that food is on the table going forward,” said Helen Forde, CEO of Jesuit Mission Australia.

With 73 per cent of Cambodia’s population living in remote areas, enhancing the skills of farmers is vital to prevent hunger and reduce the constraints of living in poverty.

The chicken farm is one part of a community development programme to assist farmers in remote areas to gain knowledge and skills. Run by their project partner in Cambodia, Karuna Battambang Organisation, these knowledge and skills are passed on to develop sustainable agriculture techniques that enhance the livelihoods of farmers and resilience to climate change.

This year, 480 farmers from 18 different remote villages have received support from this project.

The chicken farm is just one option under Jesuit Mission Australia’s Gifts for Change Program, which includes many other projects that empower vulnerable people across 14 countries with the gift of nourishment, independence, and education. Every gift comes with a tax-deductible receipt and an e-card to share with loved ones this Christmas.

Those who are interested to purchase a chicken farm or other Gifts for Change, can click here.