An Orphan, 10 Chickens, and a Hopeful Future

Saida felt a stirring in her heart.

A wife and mother of six, she had gone through an orphan and vulnerable children’s seminar with Bright Hope, and she felt God was moving in her spirit. Saida decided to step out in faith and help educate and care for an orphaned boy whose mother was down on her luck.

Living in Kavule, a small village in eastern Uganda, Saida believed the best way to help eleven-year-old Moses was by giving him an education and chance to thrive in life.

Then God blessed her with ten chickens from the Bright Hope partner church that hosted the family empowerment seminar. Saida has high expectations for how the chickens will make a difference for her family.

“Since I had no job before getting this chicken, I am committed to taking good care of them,” she said.

“I am sure I will be able to pay school dues, which are up to twenty thousand shillings… But also, I will be able to buy scholastics.”

Saida believes that the chickens will take some of the financial burden off her husband and help cover basic needs for their large family—things like sugar and children’s clothing, she said.

With the income, she has even bigger hopes than just buying things like food and clothing for her children.

“It will make us all happy when our chicken farm grows bigger,” Saida says. “I plan to expand and be able to sell some eggs… I will also boost the diet of my children because we will not only keep chicken[s] for money but also our own consumption.”

Like many other famers, Saida believes that the gift of chickens is even greater than being given money, because once the chicken is mature, it truly can be the gift that keeps on giving.

Sarah Marchmont
Sarah Marchmont

Sarah has a passion to share stories and photos of lives being transformed. With a background in journalism, a heart for “the least of these,” and a love for traveling and experiencing other cultures, she’s thrilled to be part of the Bright Hope Marketing & Communications team where she has the opportunity to hear and experience firsthand the incredible stories of God working in the nations.